Sky has dropped plans for a pay-TV service on the UK DTT platform, blaming a lack of clarity from the regulator Ofcom. Picnic would have combined a mini-pay package including Sky One, Sky Sports, Sky Movies, Sky News, Disney Channel and Discovery Channel with broadband and telephony services.
Instead, the broadcaster will continue with the current free-to-air line up comprising Sky News, Sky Sports News and Sky Three.
Plans for Picnic first emerged in February 2007, but after an initial inquiry fused with Ofcom’s wider investigation into the pay-TV market, no decision was forthcoming.
In a statement, the regulator said any decision to suspend the project was a matter for Sky. Ofcom highlighted repeated delays in responding to its investigation, both by Sky and other interested broadcasters.
