ITV Set To Go Interactive With BSkyB

ITV is close to finalising a multimillion-pound interactive television deal with BSkyB, according to a report in today’s Times.

It is understood that the terrestrial broadcaster has already agreed the commercial terms and is now concluding the technical arrangements for the new service.

The deal will enable BSkyB’s digital viewers to register their votes for shows such as Pop Stars: The Rivals through their remote controls.

Interactive voting has already proved very popular on a variety of Sky programmes. Sky News recently announced that more than 3 million votes had been cast over its interactive platform, since its launch in March 2001 (see Sky News Boosts Online Output).

Both ITV and BSkyB have declined to comment on the deal, which is expected to be announced later this month. This development marks the latest attempt by BSkyB to foster closer relations with the big two broadcasters. Last week saw the launch of Freeview, the new digital terrestrial service from the BBC and BSkyB (see BBC Revives Digital Terrestrial TV With Freeview Launch).

However, in an interview with a Sunday newspaper, BSkyB chief executive, Tony Ball, has dismissed the BBC’s call for reduced fees for distribution on the satellite network as “absurd”.

BSkyB: 0207 705 3000 www.sky.com

ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com

Recent Television Stories from NewsLine ITV Appoints New Director Of Programmes Channel 4 Announces Most Radical Restructure In 20 Years OMDtvi Launches Interactive TV Ad For Barclaycard

Subscribers can access ten years of NewsLine articles by clicking the Search button to the left