Coverage of The Proms on BBC Four are being broadcast without an HD simulcast on Sky because of a dispute with the satcaster.
Previously HD broadcasts of the annual promenade concerts have been carried on the now lapsed BBC HD channel, but following the replacement of the BBC HD channel by the BBC Two simulcast, selected HD shows are being carried via the Red Button.
There are plans to launch a BBC Four HD, but the new channel is not expected to be on-air before the winter.
A BBC spokesman told Broadband TV News: “Sky was the only TV platform operator that wanted to charge the BBC for the EPG listing of the Red Button HD stream and it’s not currently possible to access this stream through the Red Button application on Sky. We were unable to reach an agreement on these grounds; however we continue to evaluate ways to make the stream available.”
The HD coverage is still available on satellite, but only though Freesat. It can also be seen on DTT and Virgin Media.
Earlier this year 3D coverage of Andy Murray’s Wimbledon finals win was absent from Sky.
The BBC has a long-running dispute with Sky over the amount it pays for carriage on the platform. In May the corporation it may begin charging the satellite platform for the retransmission of its channels.
