The perception may be that Virgin Media is the UK’s only cable operator – but there are three cablenets of significant size – and BSkyB has just concluded new carriage agreements with them.
The three networks are Newtel, Smallworld and Wightcable serving Jersey, the Borders and the Isle of Wight. Each has agreed for the continued carriage of Sky’s basic channels Sky One, Sky News, Sky Sports News, Sky Arts, Sky Two, Sky Three, Sky Travel, Sky Travel Shop, Sky Travel Extra and Sky Travel+1.
BSkyB did not miss the opportunity to say the financial terms of the new agreements reflected the increased investment the platform operator has made in its basic channels. But the cablenets are also seemingly satisfied. “We are always looking to improve our television offering and this latest move enables us to offer even more great Sky channels,” commented Smallworld Media chief executive David Durnford.
It is worth noting that even before the long running dispute, Virgin Media did not carry the complete line-up of basic channels.
