BSkyB has unveiled the Sky Digital programming packages with which it will vie for digital subscribers when the service launches on 1 October (see Countdown To BSkyB Digital Launch Begins).
The service is made up of almost 80 channels which are divided across six different subscription packages. The cheapest of these, the Sky Value Pack, will cost viewers £6.99 per month and is being promoted on the basis that it is less than the cost of the television licence.
The other packages available range from £8.99 special interest selections to the Sky Family Pack for £11.99 per month. The Family Pack includes Sky Sports News, the first 24 hour sports news channel (see 24 Hour Sports Channel On Sky).
Much of the space on Sky Digital is being filled by audio music-only channels, highlighting the surplus of frequency space over programming content. There are also three stand-alone premium channels which are available for £4.99 per month each: Disney Channel, MUTV and Channel 4’s Film Four service (see C4 Secures Digital Film Channel Distribution).
Channel 4, Channel 5 and the BBC services will all be available through Sky Digital; ITV, however, has refused to let its services be carried by Sky (see ITV Stands Its Ground In Digital TV War). New channels available only on digital include BBC Choice, BBC Education and MTV’s new alternative channel, M2. Premium channels are available at a cost of £18.99 per month and will include the basic Value Pack. All channels will carry advertising.
Ian West, managing director of Sky Entertainment, describes the packages as, “an incomparable range of quality and variety for British viewers.”
Sky’s main rival, On Digital, is set to launch in Autumn and will announce a date for the unveiling of its pricing and channel packages within the next couple of weeks. On Digital has also appointed Andrew Marr as head of media relations; Marr joins the broadcaster from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
BSkyB: 0171 705 3000
