channels, it emerged yesterday.

The Telecommunications Commission has recommended that Hardell Entertainment be granted a licence to bring 22 new TV channels to Bermuda.

A decision on whether to recommend granting Bermuda Cablevision a similar licence to introduce another 31 channels is pending.

The two companies have been before several hearings of the Telecommunications Commission over the last 12 months arguing their case for a licence.

Last time the two sides met, it ended with the Hardell team storming out of the meeting amid bitter accusations that they had been gagged.

They claimed they were not allowed to discuss allegations of copywright infringements by Bermuda Cablevision.

Yesterday, a Government spokesman confirmed that the Commission had recommended that Technology Minister John Barritt grant Hardell a licence, subject to two conditions.

The company will have to present programme contracts for review by the Department of Information and Technology.

In addition officials will have to inspect Hardell's facilities -- believed to be planned for the Cable & Wireless site in Devonshire.

Both companies plan to use microwaves, rather than cable, to transmit their programmes.

Last night neither Hardell boss, J.C. (Kit) Astwood, and his company's lawyer Delroy Duncan were available for comment, although the company has been running local TV adverts saying "coming soon''.

Cablevision general manager Don Greiner said he thought a recommendation on Hardell had been made because it was further ahead on its application.

"Bermuda Cablevision has applied for the same licence, which is a wireless cable operations licence,'' he said. "The reason for our application is to increase our channel capacity to 81 channels to offer our 16,000 subscribers more programming.

"We are now waiting on the Telecommunication Commission's okay to begin building our wireless system,'' added Mr. Greiner.

BUSINESS BUC TELEVISION TV