• Central & East Europe
  • Features

Broadband TV News

Independent. Since 2003

  • Home
  • Newsline
    • Platforms
      • Cable
      • Connected TV
      • IPTV
      • Satellite
      • Terrestrial
    • Technology
    • HDTV
    • Channels
    • On Demand/VOD
    • Distribution
    • Central & East Europe
    • Event Coverage
      • Calendar of Events
    • Regulation/Legal
    • Marketing
    • Columns
      • Briel On
      • Chris Dziadul Reports
      • Clover’s Week
    • People
    • Finance
  • Resources
    • White Papers
    • Download Presentations
  • Events
    • Events Diary
    • BTN Events
    • Events Coverage
    • Submit the details of your event
  • About
    • Contacts
    • Our Privacy Policy – Terms and Conditions
    • Editorial Calendar
    • RSS & Social Networking
    • Mobile
    • Logos and Pictures
  • Advertise
    • Media Info
    • Hosted Events
    • Roundtable Video
    • Roundup Video
    • Mechanical Data
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Subscribe

Clover’s Week: On Virgin territory

March 1, 2007 15.43 Europe/London By Julian Clover

Julian Clover unpicks the carriage fee dispute between Sky and Virgin Media

There’s nothing like a cable spat to set the juices flowing and as the clock ticked past midnight it became apparent that there would be no immediate settlement in the dispute between cable operator Virgin Media and its satellite borne programme supplier BSkyB.

So many offers and counter offers have been made public that it has been difficult at times to keep up. As we understand it Sky is proposing a monthly carriage fee of 90p per subscriber, per month to cover a package of basic channels including Sky One, Sky News and Sky Sports News. Sky is also including a minimum guarantee, apparently at the behest of Virgin, but the cable operator is disputing the amount saying that it brings the cost back up to the original proposal.

One element that has emerged is that Virgin does not carry all of the Sky branded channels that BSkyB offers its own subscribers. But it’s not just Virgin – Tiscali TV, the recently rebranded Homechoice doesn’t offer Sky One or Sky News, although Sky Sports and Sky Movies are available as part of the Sky by Wire service.

While BSkyB has not missed an opportunity to remind people that it too can offer telephony and broadband services, Virgin has been using its radio and television appearances to talk about Virgin Central, the free video on demand service launched when the cablenet rebranded from NTL and Telewest at the beginning of the month.

One of the reasons cited by Sky for its price increase has been the investment in programming. These include the high profile acquisitions of 24 and Lost, purchased after the programmes had already established themselves on BBC Two and Channel 4. Lost is also a part of Virgin Central, at least it will be, though it should be remembered that Sky owns both the same non exclusive rights and of course will have first run of the programmes on Sky One.

Virgin Central currently has a handful of series; Alias, Little Britain. Nip/Tuck, Spooks, The Closer and The Office, some of which will only be familiar to the most avid TV watcher, though the line-up will be refreshed regularly. In the United States experience has shown that by offering viewers free video on demand they will be more inclined to sample the pay offerings.

BSkyB also has video-on-demand planned, but only to customers that have the Sky+ digital video recorder, about 20% of its 8.4 million subscriber base. Even then Sky Anytime would be unable to offer the range of programmes that a wired service can offer.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Cable, Clover's Week, Newsline Edited: March 1, 2007 15:43

About Julian Clover

Julian Clover is a Media and Technology journalist based in Cambridge, UK. He works in online and printed media. Julian is also a voice on local radio. You can talk to Julian on Twitter @julianclover, on Facebook or by email at jclover@broadbandtvnews.com.

Latest News

  • A+E promotes Liz Soriano
  • BBC iPlayer starts year with record week
  • Must TV launches content discovery platform
  • IBSBM becomes THEMA Northern Europe
  • Net Insight rings in the changes

White Paper

White Paper: An approach to implementing HbbTV on Android TV by Zattoo

By Broadband TV News Correspondent

HbbTV’s self stated goal is to “harmonize the broadcast, IPTV, and broadband delivery of entertainment to the end consumer through connected TVs and set-top boxes”.

Most Read

  • Discovery+ goes live in the UK
    Discovery+ goes live in the UK
  • Apple extends Apple TV+ trial
    Apple extends Apple TV+ trial
  • United Group secures Bulgaria’s Nova
    United Group secures Bulgaria’s Nova
  • Ethiosat platform launched to deliver HD channels
    Ethiosat platform launched to deliver HD channels
  • New partnership between Sky and STUDIOCANAL
    New partnership between Sky and STUDIOCANAL

Watch Video

About Us

Broadband TV News is the Industry’s No.1 Information Provider bringing news, analysis and comment on the delivery of digital television, around Europe and the World.

Broadband TV News

PO Box 499
Cambridge
United Kingdom
CB1 0AH
news@broadbandtvnews.com

Editions

  • Central & East Europe
  • Channels
  • Columns
  • Features
  • White Papers

Subscribe

Join over 40,000 readers to our Daily and Weekly emails. Complete the simple form to get the latest issue delivered direct to your inbox.

Click Here

Advertise with Broadband TV News

Broadband TV News offers a range of commercial possibilities from banner advertising to white paper hosting. Keep your brand at the front of buyer's minds.

Contact: Chris Griffin Commercial Director Tel: +44 7590 522475

Connect with Us

 

Copyright © 2021 Broadband TV News LLP · Log in

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OK