BBC Resolves Digital Distribution Dispute With BSkyB
The BBC has resolved its dispute with BSkyB over the positioning of BBC1 and BBC2 on the satellite broadcaster’s electronic programming guide.
Earlier this year the Corporation’s decision not to renew its digital encryption deal with BSkyB sparked a row between the two broadcasting heavyweights, with the latter threatening to relegate the BBC’s flagship channels to the lower end of its on-screen guide (see BBC Terminates Sky Carriage Deal).
However, the new deal will see the BBC broadcast all eight of its stations to Sky viewers, with BBC1 and BBC2 retaining their current 101 and 102 positions on the EPG. By this autumn all 22 national and regional variations of the channels will be available and listed on the on-screen guide.
The agreement will see the BBC buy a regionalisation service from BSkyB to ensure that viewers within the UK will continue to receive the right national and regional versions of BBC1 and BBC1 on the EPG.
However, the Corporation will stop paying BSkyB for the provision of ‘solus’ viewing cards, which allowed digital satellite viewers without a subscription to Sky, to view the BBC’s free-to-air channels.
The resolution also means that the BBC will withdraw the complaint it made in April this year to the Independent Television Commission over the dispute (see BBC Appeals To TV Regulator To Resolve BSkyB Dispute).
It has been suggested that BBC’s decision to pull out of the conditional access satellite carriage agreement is unlikely to have any material effect on the satellite broadcaster. However, figures put the carriage revenue from BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five at £25 million a year and analysts claim that the other terrestrial channels could follow the BBC’s example and end their contracts (see BBC’s Exit From Carriage Deal Will Not Hurt Sky).
BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk BSkyB: 0207 705 3000 www.sky.com
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