Sky Delays Launch Of Picnic
BSkyB has delayed plans to launch its new TV brand, Picnic, due to Ofcom’s investigation in to the pay-TV market.
The satellite company was planning to launch three pay-TV channels on Freeview under the Picnic brand, which would have included premium content such as sport and films.
Picnic, which was set to replace the free to air channels on Freeview – Sky News, Sky Three and Sky Sports News – would have been available to people who bought special digital boxes and paid a subscription fee.
The delay comes as Ofcom has yet to publish its investigation into the pay-TV market.
In a statement to the FT, Sky said: “We continue to believe strongly in Picnic. It will be good for consumers and a good opportunity for Sky.
“While our launch plans are already well advanced, there is no definitive conclusion in sight to the Ofcom process. Consequently, we intend to wind down preparations by redeploying as many of the team as possible to other parts of Sky.
“We will decide whether to reactivate the project when we have more certainty over the Picnic TV proposal.”
The findings of Ofcom’s inquiry are expected to be published next year.
BskyB: 0207 705 3000 www.sky.com Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk