Sky is reportedly close to agreeing a long-rumoured deal to purchase Virgin Media's television channel portfolio.
According to The Guardian, the satellite broadcaster is nearing the conclusion of protracted negotiations to buy Virgin Media TV's channel business, which includes Virgin1, Bravo and Living.
The deal, which is thought to be worth up to ?160m, could be finalised as early as next week.
"We are absolutely steaming ahead, and it should be done, if not by the end of this week, then next week," said a source close to the negotiations.
As part of the deal, Virgin Media is expected to gain a long-term carriage agreement to keep offering the Virgin Media TV channels on its cable TV platform.
However, the company could also get preferential access to Sky's high definition premium sport and movie channels as part of friendlier relations between the two firms.
Sky's acquisition of Virgin, which would most likely be rebranded after the change of ownership, would also bring the company a valuable slot on Freeview.
It may look to use the channel slot as part of the long-planned launch of its Picnic service on digital terrestrial television, which was given the provisional greenlight as part of Ofcom's pay-TV review.
So it looks like VM will be getting Sky HD content as well
According to The Guardian, the satellite broadcaster is nearing the conclusion of protracted negotiations to buy Virgin Media TV's channel business, which includes Virgin1, Bravo and Living.
The deal, which is thought to be worth up to ?160m, could be finalised as early as next week.
"We are absolutely steaming ahead, and it should be done, if not by the end of this week, then next week," said a source close to the negotiations.
As part of the deal, Virgin Media is expected to gain a long-term carriage agreement to keep offering the Virgin Media TV channels on its cable TV platform.
However, the company could also get preferential access to Sky's high definition premium sport and movie channels as part of friendlier relations between the two firms.
Sky's acquisition of Virgin, which would most likely be rebranded after the change of ownership, would also bring the company a valuable slot on Freeview.
It may look to use the channel slot as part of the long-planned launch of its Picnic service on digital terrestrial television, which was given the provisional greenlight as part of Ofcom's pay-TV review.
So it looks like VM will be getting Sky HD content as well
might be a case for Sky to charge for VM HD or VM will have to charge for it. Could also be that Sky could drop the charge.
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