Open To Be Integrated Into BSkyB

BSkyB is rumoured to be integrating its interactive TV portal, Open, into its own new media operations, a move that could lead to the closure of the service. The group is expected to announce mounting losses at the portal in its quarterly results due out next week.

BSkyB announced it was to take a controlling stake in the platform in July last year (see BSkyB Takes Control Of Open, Plans To Improve Look, Feel and Services). A public consultation (see Comment Invited On Proposed BSkyB Takeover Of Open) is expected to pass the deal imminently but the service has yet to generate viable revenues.

Open was launched in 1999 as the most advanced interactive television service in the world (see Interactive TV Launches In The UK). It signed deals with numerous retail partners and was claimed to be accessed by 1.6m people each month when Sky decided to take a controlling stake last year.

The newly merged new media division is likely to be headed by John Florsheim, currently CEO of Open. This could lead to the departure of John Swingewood, Sky’s new media head.

BSkyB: 020 7705 3000 Open: 020 7332 7000