Flextech And UKTV Sign Carriage Deal With Telewest Digital

Pay-TV group Flextech has signed a major carriage deal with Telewest Communications’ recently-launched digital television service, Active Digital (see Telewest Launches Digital Service). Under the deal, all of Flextech’s channels, including the UKTV portfolio, will be available on Active Digital.

Flextech’s wholly-owned stations are Bravo, Trouble, Living and Challenge TV. UKTV, which is a joint venture between Flextech and the BBC, produces UK Gold, UK Arena, UK Style, UK Horizons and UK Play. Carriage has also been secured for UK Gold 2 and Scene One, the new channel being launched early next year to complement the SceneOne.co.uk entertainment and listings website.

As part of the deal between the two companies, Flextech will also be involved in developing interactive and transactional television services for Telewest Active Digital. There will also be joint marketing initiatives between the two groups to promote the digital services.

Commenting on the deal, Flextech chairman Adam Singer says: “This comprehensive deal secures carriage for all our channels on one of the most important cable platforms through the key transition period from analogue to digital.”

Telewest’s Active Digital has initially launched in the Midlands, with the company hoping to offer the service to half of its customers by Christmas and around 90% by June 2000.

Flextech: 0171 299 5000 Telewest Communications: 01483 750 900