Sky Offers Free Digital Satellite To Pubs

BSkyB has today launched a new service exclusively targeting the broadcaster’s clients in the commercial marketplace. Sky Business is offering a free digital satellite system to the 30,000 licensed premises which currently subscribe to Sky’s analogue service.

Through the Sky Business offering, UK pubs and clubs will be able to receive programming and advertising which is ‘dedicated to the needs and opportunities’ of the licensed trade. As well as a free upgrade to Sky Digital, the company is also promising to freeze its subscription prices for a minimum of 12 months from September 1999.

Sky has been planning to launch a pub-dedicated service since autumn last year (see Sky’s Pub Channel To Offer Promotional Advertising). The Sky Business package will feature InnPractice, programming developed in association with the British Institute of Innkeeping which targets pub managers and staff before opening time. There is also a weekly national quiz, the Sky Pub Quiz. Both launch in autumn 1999.

“Sky’s football coverage has done more than any other initiative to increase traditional pub traffic and take in the 1990s. But this will be dwarfed by what we will deliver to our pub and club subscribers over the next few year. Customers have a great deal to look forward to,” promises BSkyB’s commercial marketing director, Iain Holden.

The launch of Sky Business is being supported by a media and marketing campaign in the trade press.

BSkyB: 0171 705 3000