Channel4 And Sky Sign New Deal

JBoyle4eva

Digital spy:

Channel 4 and Sky today announced that they have entered into new agreements to ensure that all Channel 4's channels will continue to be available on the digital satellite platform until at least the end of 2007. Sky will also carry Channel 4's new digital channel More4 after its launch in early 2005.

Separately, Channel 4 has extended its conditional access agreement until October 2008.

Richard Freudenstein, BSkyB's Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are pleased to continue our mutually beneficial relationship with Channel 4 and look forward to the launch of the new channel More4 alongside its existing digital TV services E4 and FilmFour.“

Rob Woodward, Channel 4's Commercial Director, added: “This is a significant deal for Channel 4 and reflects the success of our digital channels E4 and FilmFour. Their availability across the Sky platform has been a key factor in the success of our digital strategy and we believe that continuing to deliver them to Sky's growing customer base is the best way of ensuring their continued growth.”

I wonder could any of this launch C4 on the Irish Sky EPG?

mickeyboymel

Well that seals the fate of Ch4 regarding FTA access until 2008 and the only question which arises is will More 4 be available in the Family Pack here,similar to E4 at present.

The issues regarding placement of CH4 in the Irish Epg remain unchanged.

EKRIUQ

Not great new for us in Ireland, Shows that Ch4 has no intention of broadcasting to the Republic of Ireland:mad: Maybe sky worked some deal into been put onto the Irish EPG I'll email them and ask.

watty

As expected as the Film4 and E4 channels "lock" C4 into needing encryption. They no doubt get a better deal with C4 included rather than FTA.

When ITV suggested going FTA originally, they were given over 1M discount for making ITV2 a pay channel.

Now that ITV Digital / On Digital is gone and BBC is FTA, the equation is different for ITV than C4.

I wouldn't bet on what happens ITV after august.

10000maniacs

Thats right watty, and we can probably expect a similar announcement with the ITV networks in the coming months. Sky will probably offer ITV a much discounted rate for encryption in the new contract.

Mike 1972

Bad news for consumers both within and outside the UK :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Gonzo

after reading this it sounds like we all have a better chance of winning the lottery than Channel 4 ever making it to sky digital in Ireland and itv will prolly go same way also

Nate Dogg

ITV hints it is to sign a new conditional access agreement.
http://news.independent.co.uk/busin...sp?story=530889

Nate Dogg

So it looks like we'll never get UTV ITV2 & 3 OR CHANNEL 4 & 5.
And the BBC will never add thier channels to the Irish EPG.

DMC

Originally posted by Nate Dogg
ITV hints it is to sign a new conditional access agreement.
http://news.independent.co.uk/busin...sp?story=530889

Link don't work, can you try again?

Colm80

Cant find that story any where on that site.

PK - the king

I know that ITV 1 & 2 can't appear on the Irish EPG, but one must ask - what's the problem with Channel 4? E4 shows most of the stuff Channel 4 does, and there aren't really any rights issues involved?

watty

ITV, C4 and Five are *MORE* likely to be on Irish EPG, in *SUBSCRIPTION* Family pack than FTA EPG...

There is not any "rights" issue, only for the "other direction" of RTE in UK.

Don't forget nearly 75% can get UTV now...

It's just awkwardness and lack in interest in a small extra market.

If Chorus & NTL went belly up with "snow" on screen, you'd see C4 and UTV on Sky (not FTA, but susbscription) by the end of the week in Ireland.


Now where did I put the wirecutters and petrol cans? :-) *grin*


If you want custom EPG (all BBC etc) and free channels, buy a quad LNB (for Sky Dish) and a Palcom DSL4 of www.satellite.ie probabilly less than €200.

A complete FTA motorised system including install, 30 satellites approx, 850 TV , 800 Radio approx is prolly under €400. No monthly charges.

(Wont get ITV/C4, but with TV3, RTE, TG4 and the BBC and 840 other channels will you really miss UTV and C4.. er what actually is ther to wathc on Five?)

mrdtv

As a matter of fact the authoritative New Media Markets in the UK, Issue 22, Number 21, June 11 2004 reveals that ITV are considering following BBC down the unencrypted route, unlike C4. This is more straightforward for ITV as they are also 2D broadcasters like the BBC whereas C4's transponder is either Astra 2A or 2B which reaches all the way to Moscow. Therefore ITV can use the 2D argument with rightsholders which the BBC has successfully used. Clive Jones, Managing Director of ITV Networks is quoted in NMM as saying that it is one of the issues ITV has to deal with in the year as the CA deal with Sky ends in September. It should also be remembered that, unlike C4, ITV own or produce about 80% of their content and therefore rights are less problematic.

As there are very significant cost pressures on ITV I would expect that ITV will go FTA and use the Sky card to correctly regionalise the services a la BBC: a major program of correcting regional anomalies via DSAT is now underway in the UK.

NMM are usually on the money as they have very high level sources and are *THE* UK trade rag par excellence on these issues.

mrdtv:D

Sin e an Fear

Astra 2A or 2B which reaches all the way to Moscow.

Only with a big enough dish- and with a slightly bigger 4m dish you can get 2D in Cyprus.

Independent article text

BBC looks to link up with Sky as satellite service blasts off
By Tim Webb
13 June 2004


The BBC wants to come on board BSkyB's free-to-air digital satellite venture, which its chief executive, James Murdoch, announced last week.

The BBC had been in talks, along with other broadcasters, about forming a consortium with BSkyB to launch the service. But even after BSkyB had decided to go it alone, Andy Duncan, BBC director of marketing, said there was still an opportunity to join forces.

"We are in discussion with BSkyB about how we might work together. We would bring our brand credibility and support and could link the venture to a public service marketing campaign," said Mr Duncan.

The BBC, together with BSkyB and Crown Castle, is already part of the consortium running Freeview, the free digital terrestrial service. It has denied that BSkyB's service is a threat to Freeview, insisting it gives more choice to viewers.

Mr Duncan added that the BBC was also in talks with other broadcasters about launching a rival free-to-air digital satellite service. But ITV, which spent more than £1bn on its failed platform ITV Digital, is not understood to be one of them.

"If there is competition in these areas, it's good for consumers in terms of pricing and choice," Mr Duncan said.

BSkyB's new package, "free sat", will later this year offer viewers 200 Sky channels as well as terrestrial digital channels, for a one-off £150 install- ation fee. Sky wants to sell interactive digital services to "free sat" viewers and convert them to subscription packages.

Mike 1972

If these channels are on 2D (As ITV are) what exactly do they have to gain by being encrypted (as opposed to just having a favorable EPG slot) ?

Surely the only people benefiting out of ITV/C4/C5 being encrypted at this stage are $ky (and possibly RTE) who are competitors to ITV at the end of the day

Mike 1972

Duh Typo

That last bit should have read

Surely the only people benefiting out of ITV/C4/C5 being encrypted at this stage are $ky (and possibly RTE) who are competitors to SKY at the end of the day