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Sky Arts goes FTA

Available on Freeview channel 11 from Sept. 17th

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MA
Markymark
Confirmed at Edinburgh TV Fest that Sky Arts will be on Freeview channel 11 so presumably Pick will be on 34.


Nice move, just two clicks up from BBC4 on Ch9
VA
valley
Press Pack has just been published: as stated, Freeview on ch11; Freesat on ch147. Pick moves to Freeview ch34.
PF
PFML84
Now, will Sky keep the DOG settings so it fades off after a few seconds or not shown at all on certain programmes, or will it be on permanently because it’s FTA?

I wonder if they ever will make Pick “Sky Pick” seeing as they aren’t against having the Sky name associated with a FTA channel anymore and it would help establish that it’s a Sky channel to those that may not have known and could attract more viewers.
ST
Stuart
I wonder if they ever will make Pick “Sky Pick” seeing as they aren’t against having the Sky name associated with a FTA channel anymore and it would help establish that it’s a Sky channel to those that may not have known and could attract more viewers.

They always kept Sky News on Freeview, so I wouldn't say they were always "against having the Sky name associated with an FTA channel".
LL
London Lite Founding member
Moving Arts to LCN 11 is a statement that they're after BBC Four's audience.
ST
Stuart
Moving Arts to LCN 11 is a statement that they're after BBC Four's audience.

If BBC FOUR becomes a 'linear archive channel of iPlayer box sets', then they won't be chasing the same audience.
BR
Brekkie
But the audience will be after arts content.
PF
PFML84
They always kept Sky News on Freeview, so I wouldn't say they were always "against having the Sky name associated with an FTA channel".

I would have imagined Sky News was an exception as it isn't popular content people would usually pay for like entertainment shows, movies, sports etc. They had Sky 3 on Freeview but then repositioned their entertainment channels and launched Sky Atlantic and I remember reading an article where Sky were quoted as stating that they didn't want the Sky name associated with free entertainment potentially putting people off paying for Sky, thinking their offerings were available free so there was no need to subscribe.

With Sky News and Sky Arts on the platform, now could be the time to have a 'Sky Pick' and 'Sky Games' / 'Sky Challenge' and have them rammed with ads (which they technically are now) for the new, premium HD stuff they could be getting on Sky if they subscribed instead of the same old SD repeats they are getting on the free channels.
SP
Spencer
I guess they must have changed their mind about providing free entertainment under the Sky brand. I presume their primary motivation in adding Sky Arts to Freeview is to improve non-Sky subscribers’ perception of Sky, particular amongst older and more affluent people who may still consider it to be a bit downmarket.

If they think Sky is more ‘for them’, they’re more likely to fork out for a sub. I guess you can’t do this with a channel that doesn’t carry the Sky name.

I’m not sure though that there’s the same need to improve perceptions of Sky amongst Challenge and Pick viewers.
JO
Jonwo
I guess they must have changed their mind about providing free entertainment under the Sky brand. I presume their primary motivation in adding Sky Arts to Freeview is to improve non-Sky subscribers’ perception of Sky, particular amongst older and more affluent people who may still consider it to be a bit downmarket.

If they think Sky is more ‘for them’, they’re more likely to fork out for a sub. I guess you can’t do this with a channel that doesn’t carry the Sky name.

I’m not sure though that there’s the same need to improve perceptions of Sky amongst Challenge and Pick viewers.


There's also the fact that Sky Arts will reach more ABC1 viewers which IIRC are the second most sought audience for advertisers so a win win for Sky.

16 days later

PF
PFML84
Sky Arts (SD) on satellite is now broadcasting FTA and has Freesat data attached.
MA
Markymark
Sky Arts (SD) on satellite is now broadcasting FTA and has Freesat data attached.


720 x 576 or mushy 544 x 576 ?

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