Will BT really start a pay-TV price war if Ofcom chooses to regulate Sky Sports? Julian Clover assesses the field.
Sky loses ITV appeal
BSkyB has lost an appeal against having to sell its stake in the commercial broadcaster ITV. As a result, it will now have to reduce the stake from 17.9% to below 7.5%.
Sky’s subtle approach to 3D
DTG 3DTV Technical Seminar – London: BSkyB’s chief engineer Chris Johns has outlined some of the challenges facing the broadcaster in the production of 3DTV content.
Sky upgrades Remote Record app
Sky has given a makeover to its Remote Record app that allows iPhone users to check forthcoming programmes and remotely book programme recordings.
3ality to provide Sky 3D kit
State-of-the-art camera rigs and image processors for Sky’s forthcoming 3D service are on their way from Burbank, California, courtesy of 3ality Digital. Equipment from the leading 3D technology provider will be used in the broadcast of much of the content on the new service.
Sky Italia man named Sullivan replacement
BSkyB has appointed Andrea Zappia as the managing director of its customer group, demonstrating a clear career path between News Corp’s various European pay-TV operations.
MGM and BSkyB in HD movie launch
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and BSkyB are today launching a new movie channel exclusively in the HD format. MGM HD is a 50/50 joint venture between movie studio and broadcaster and becomes the first branded channel for the studio in the UK.
European Court to rule on pub football
The European Court has announced the postponement of its ruling on the viewing of Premier League football in pubs to early 2010. The verdict of the Court could have big implications on the way European broadcasters acquire movie and sports rights in the future.
Ofcom puts Sky Picnic back on the table
Ofcom has said it is prepared to give Sky permission to launch its DTT pay service Picnic, subject to a number of conditions. These include making the premium movie and sports channels that Picnic was proposing to include made available on a wholesale basis.
Sky shelves plans for Picnic
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.