BSkyB Plans Subscription Drive In Republic Of Ireland

BSkyB is hoping to drive subscription uptake in Ireland, having secured the rights to show more Irish content and BBC1 in the Republic. Richard Freudenstein, Sky’s CEO, has said he would like to add the leading Irish terrestrial channels RTE 1, Network 2, TV3, TG4 and UTV to the platform in future.

It is thought that the broadcaster’s current digital subscription level in Eire is around 70,000. It hopes to increase this thanks to a deal with the BBC which allows it to show BBC1 across the whole country for the first time. BBC2 will be added in April. In addition the home matches of the Irish football team will appear on the platform for the next five years, as well as the FAI Cup final.

At present BSkyB enjoys a lack of competition from its digital rivals in the Republic of Ireland, and is thought that the renewed marketing efforts will try to capitalise on this.

BSkyB: 020 7705 3000 www.sky.com

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