BSkyB to pull Sky Sports News from Freeview
BSkyB is set to remove Sky Sports News from Freeview after eight years in a bid to boost subscription revenues.
Sky will replace the channel with a one-hour time-shifted Sky 3 +1 service later this year, according to reports. Sky 3 replaced Sky Travel back in 2005.
The satellite broadcaster launched Sky Sports News on the free-to-air service in 2002, alongside Sky News and Sky Travel. It is understood that BSkyB has made the decision to make the channel subscription only to generate higher revenues, as it currently only receives ad revenues from the Freeview platform.
BSkyB has also announced plans to launch a high definition Sky Sports News channel, which will be available on Sky, Virgin Media and Talk Talk TV when Sky Sports News becomes a pay-only service.
Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said: “As part of a subscription service, customers can look forward to expanded coverage and the launch of Europe’s first HD sports news service.”
As part of the move, Sky is also expected to boost editorial investment in to the channel, which will include setting up new facilities and equipment such as outside broadcast trucks and covering a wider range of sports.