Sky Viewers May Loose BBC Channels After Satellite Switch
Sky viewers with older satellite systems may lose BBC digital channels after the Corporation moved its satellite signal last week as part of an £85 million cost cutting initiative.
A number of satellite viewers, believed to be around 1,500, have lost reception to the BBC’s digital channels following the switch from Astra 2A to the to Astra 2D satellite last week. The change in signal followed the BBC’s decision to end its five year carriage agreement with Sky and broadcast its eight TV channels unencrypted on digital satellite (see BBC Terminates Sky Carriage Deal).
The controversial move was greeted with scepticism by some in the industry, who predicted that the service would suffer because the signal from the new satellite is weaker. However, both Sky and the BBC have claimed that only a small proportion of viewers will have any problems viewing the BBC’s eight digital channels.
A spokesperson for the BBC was also keen to point out that any responsibility for loss of signal lies with Sky, commenting: “The new signal complies completely with Sky’s technical requirements and therefore the onus is on Sky to correct any problems. The newer digi-boxes re-tune themselves automatically it is just people with older systems who may need assistance.”
The potential loss of viewers from the signal change could damage the BBC’s attempts to build audiences for its fledgling digital channels. However, the Corporation was keen to stress that very few viewers would be effected by the switchover.
Sky also believes the controversy surrounding the switchover is little more than a storm in a tea cup, a spokesman for the company commented: “The vast majority of satellite viewers will have no problem receiving the BBC’s channels. A tiny proportion of viewers have reported the loss of signal, but the majority have been able to retune the channels themselves with advice from our call centre.”
The news follows the announcement that the BBC is taking Sky to the Independent Television Commission following a disagreement over its position on BSkyB’s electronic programming guide (see BBC Admits It May Lose Prominence On BSkyB). The Corporation believes it should have top billing on the service to reflect its position as a public service broadcaster.
BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk BSkyB: 0207 705 3000 www.sky.com
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