ntl has suspended plans for a 'Classic Sports' channel broadcasting footage from the BBC's archives, according to the Media Guardian today.

The channel was due to launch in March but is now "unlikely to happen", putting around 50 jobs at Premium TV, ntl's sports broadcasting division, at risk.

The announcement comes amid speculation over the cable company's financial situation, which has seen reviews of all of its operations.

Plans for Classic Sport evolved from British Sport, a channel which was intended to combine archive footage with live coverage of rugby, basketball and ice hockey.