TV3 has started High Court proceedings against Cablelink in an attempt to force the cable operator to place the service higher up its frequency band.

The television company alleges that its low place on Cablelink's frequency could cost the channel millions of pounds.

"TV3 has been left with no option but to start these proceedings against Cablelink to enforce its rights," the channel said in a statement last night.

However last night Cablelink contended that it had given TV3 "very support." Cablelink was still in correspondence about the issue raised by TV3, a spokeswoman said, and the cable operator was "very surprised and disappointed" that TV3 was resorting to legal action. Notice that such action was being taken was received by TV3 yesterday evening, she confirmed.

According to TV3, the cable and MMDS operators in Ireland are required to carry TV3's programme service within a certain frequency band and all operators, with the exception of Cablelink, have honoured this obligation in full.

"Most cable and MMDS operators have welcomed TV3 and given it placement on their frequency bands comparable to other indigenous broadcasters," TV3 said in a statement last night.

In contrast, according to TV3, Cablelink has placed TV3 in an inferior position to that of other national and UK-based broadcasters.

Cablelink argues that it has given TV3 a frequency that can be picked up by all TV sets - including older sets - and that it has widely advertised the placement of TV3 to its subscribers in information provided to them and in onscreen information.

The TV3 statement also adds that RTE, which has a 20 per cent stake Cablelink, recently decided that indigenous channels would be given priority and equal treatment in channel placement. An RTE spokesman indicated that it has made its position on indigenous channel placement known to Cablelink.