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. […]
At the Races reaches breakeven
At the Races reduced its operating loss in 2006 as the racing channel moved reached breakeven in the second half of the year. According to finanicials released by Arena Leisure, which has a 47.5% shareholding in the channel, alongside BSkyB (47.5%) and Ascot Racecourse (5%), At the Races increased its turnover by 22.9% to £13.4 […]
Virgin Central 2 replaces Sky One
Virgin Media has rearranged its channel line-up following the removal of Sky’s basic channels from the cablenet. Out goes Sky One to be replaced by Virgin Central 2, a reversioning of the on demand TV channel, although the actual video library including episodes of Alias, Nip/Tuck, Little Britain and Spooks, is identical to Virgin Central […]
Sky basic channels dropped from Virgin
Sky’s basic channels from Virgin Media cable systems at midnight on Thursday (March 1). Whether Sky ceased the delivery of the channels or Virgin pulled the plug is a matter of conjecture with both sides claiming the other to be responsible. The action follows the failure of the two companies to reach agreement on their […]
Set-top strategy lifts KDG
Kabel Deutschland (KDG) has said that its new strategy of offering set-top boxes direct to the customer is beginning to pay off. Germany’s largest cable operator lifted its subscriber base by a further 3.6% to end 2006 on 10.031 million revenue generating units. Revenues for the nine month period rose by 7% to €813.2 million. […]
Virgin Media adds 38,500 subs in Christmas quarter
The rebranded Virgin Media has announced its end of year financial results. During a time when NTL and Telewest were still the consumer facing brands, the cablenet added 38,500 net TV subscribers, while 78,100 net broadband customers were also signed up. Churn was reduced to a monthly 1.7% from 1.8% in the previous quarter. In […]
Kupsky named Turner Europe president
Jeff Kupsky has been named as the new president of Turner Broadcasting System Europe. His remit will cover all of Turner’s television and multiplatform outlets in Europe including Cartoon Network, Boomerang and TCM (Turner Classic Movies), and commercial activities for CNN International. Key responsibilities include overseeing business development, marketing, distribution and public relations, as well […]
Luxembourg agrees digital cable package
The Luxembourg government has signed an agreement with the country’s cable operators as the country aims to become the first country in Europe to have an all digital TV service. Cablenets in the Grand Dutchy will offer subscribers a selection of 75 international channels. “This agreement prepares the ground for the switch to an all […]
Abraham named new UKTV CEO
Former Discovery Channel UK boss David Abraham has been named as the new chief executive of UKTV. He will take-up the role at the BBC Worldwide–Virgin Media Television joint venture in April following the retirement of Dick Emery. 43-year old Abraham is joining from Discovery Networks USA where he has been the executive vice president […]
BBC Trust backs Freesat
The BBC trust has given its provisional approval to the launch of the ‘Freesat’ digital satellite platform. It is envisaged that the project would be jointly operated with ITV and Channel 4, both of which are now partners in the Freeview DTT platform. BSkyB already operates a subscription free satellite platform under the freesatfromsky brand […]