Flextech Shows Interest In Live TV

The pay-TV operator Flextech has registered an interest in buying the Mirror Group’s Live TV venture. One option for Flextech is to purchase Live TV and then replace it with its own set of interactive services. Alternatively, Flextech may choose to run Live as it is at present, a spokesperson for the company told Newsline this morning.

The Mirror Group released its financial results at the beginning of March and, with Live TV continuing to lose money, stated that the TV venture would no longer be a core part of the Group’s operations (see Newsline). The channel shut down local versions of its service in Newcastle and Liverpool towards the end of last year (see Newsline).

Despite this however, the Group has not been actively seeking buyers for the channel, but a lot of interest has been generated and Mirror Group has been approached by a number of possible suitors for Live!TV, one of which is Flextech.

Speculation suggests that should Flextech purchase Live TV, it may close down the channel and replace it with its own set of interactive, transactional services. Whether Flextech is more interested in the cable carriage contracts of Live TV is unknown, however, and any concrete plans for the potential cable space are a long way off.

Live TV was exempted from the Independent Television Commission’s (ITC) decision to remove Minimum Carriage Requirements (MCRs) from cable and satellite operators last year (see Newsline). Consequently, the cable industry was obliged to continue carrying Live until the end of its carriage contract.

The channel is perhaps best known for its News Bunny and Topless Darts programmes – two features which Live has now announced are to be axed. The channel is also cutting back on late night erotic films, and giving a revamp to many of its shows remaining on-air.

Live TV: 0171 293 2511 Flextech: 0171 299 5000