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Charlie Wells
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Taken from Media Guardian:
Quote:
Sky to launch fifth sports channel
Julia Day
Friday June 9, 2006
BSkyB is preparing to launch Sky Sports 4, its fifth television channel dedicated to live sports coverage.
Media regulator Ofcom has awarded Sky a new TV licence, under the name Sky Sports 4, for a cable and satellite-only service, so the new service will not be used by Sky to broadcast live Premiership action on Freeview from next season - even though the broadcaster is reported to be exploring this option.
The broadcaster already operates Sky Sports 1, 2 and 3 and Sky Sports Xtra for live sports coverage as well as rolling news service Sky Sports News.
Sky has amassed the rights to so much sport it is said to be struggling with its existing four channels and was recently forced to broadcast a high-profile darts tournament on Sky Sports News.
As well as Premiership football rights, Sky's live sports coverage includes cricket, rugby, golf and boxing.
Sky was contacted by MediaGuardian.co.uk about the new channel, but had not responded by the time of publication.
Separately, the broadcaster is said to be looking at ways to put its Premiership football coverage on Freeview, possibly via digital terrestrial pay-TV operator Top Up TV.
Irish company Setanta, which will share Premiership rights from the 2007/08 season, has already declared its intention to broadcast Premier League games on digital terrestrial TV.
Setanta paid £392m for 46 matches a year for three years, while BSkyB paid £1.31bn for the remaining 92, more desirable, games in each season from August 2007.
Julia Day
Friday June 9, 2006
BSkyB is preparing to launch Sky Sports 4, its fifth television channel dedicated to live sports coverage.
Media regulator Ofcom has awarded Sky a new TV licence, under the name Sky Sports 4, for a cable and satellite-only service, so the new service will not be used by Sky to broadcast live Premiership action on Freeview from next season - even though the broadcaster is reported to be exploring this option.
The broadcaster already operates Sky Sports 1, 2 and 3 and Sky Sports Xtra for live sports coverage as well as rolling news service Sky Sports News.
Sky has amassed the rights to so much sport it is said to be struggling with its existing four channels and was recently forced to broadcast a high-profile darts tournament on Sky Sports News.
As well as Premiership football rights, Sky's live sports coverage includes cricket, rugby, golf and boxing.
Sky was contacted by MediaGuardian.co.uk about the new channel, but had not responded by the time of publication.
Separately, the broadcaster is said to be looking at ways to put its Premiership football coverage on Freeview, possibly via digital terrestrial pay-TV operator Top Up TV.
Irish company Setanta, which will share Premiership rights from the 2007/08 season, has already declared its intention to broadcast Premier League games on digital terrestrial TV.
Setanta paid £392m for 46 matches a year for three years, while BSkyB paid £1.31bn for the remaining 92, more desirable, games in each season from August 2007.