New ITV HD Channels not Fee to Air !
Following last month’s news that ITV is going to launch its remaining 3 channels of ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 in crisp high-definition on the Sky satellite TV subscription platform, the date of the first HD broadcast has now been confirmed: Sky+ HD subscribers will be able to tune in to the ITV2 HD channel from the 7th of October. Although the launch dates for ITV3 HD and ITV4 HD remain unknown at this moment, ITV hinted that they will definitely be up and running by year-end.
Signing an agreement with British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) to put ITV2 HD, ITV3 HD and ITV4 HD on the Sky subscription service marks ITV’s reentry into the Pay TV arena, having previously failed with its ONdigital/ ITV Digital venture. ITV chief executive Adam Crozier deemed this move as crucial to the company’s future, as it seeks to adapt its business model to leverage off internet-enabled TVs and subscription-based TV services which have seen healthy growth in recent times. He said that this deal with Sky fitted perfectly with a 5-year strategic plan that he had outlined to develop new revenue streams, and cut down reliance on income from traditional TV commercials.
While ITV is approaching other TV network providers like the cable-based Virgin Media to broadcast its ITV2 HD, ITV3 HD and ITV4 HD channels, its arrangement with Sky is exclusive among satellite TV providers. This means that these channels will not be available on the Freesat free-to-air satellite TV platform which, ironically enough, was launched and funded in part by ITV itself.
A Bloody Outrage this is to Millions of Freesat users, Advertised as a Platform to the Digital switchover in 2011-2012 was anticipated to carry even more HD content going forward, Why now would many be interested in buying a Freesat HD receiver, more to the point why tell us now that after you have bought a Freesat HD receiver there will only be 2 of the main HD channels on it !!!!
If the BBC go down the same root later this year with there new HD channels, this will bring a death to Freesat as an alternative to Sky where If you are after HD Content Sky is the Only way to get it.
The Main reason for this is Money but also the Space on Astra 2D is pretty much full, all the mian Freesat Channels come from Astra 2D a Tight Beam over UK and ROI , but the rest of the Transponder is full of Sky Subscription Channels, Sky in theory have Freesat Channel expansion over a barrel by having this precious Transponer space.
Eventually I see all Freesat dissapearing back onto or under the Sky Broadcasting Umbrella....or at least the Channels of any Value that are not under any broadcasting licence arrangement or funded by the state
Signing an agreement with British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) to put ITV2 HD, ITV3 HD and ITV4 HD on the Sky subscription service marks ITV’s reentry into the Pay TV arena, having previously failed with its ONdigital/ ITV Digital venture. ITV chief executive Adam Crozier deemed this move as crucial to the company’s future, as it seeks to adapt its business model to leverage off internet-enabled TVs and subscription-based TV services which have seen healthy growth in recent times. He said that this deal with Sky fitted perfectly with a 5-year strategic plan that he had outlined to develop new revenue streams, and cut down reliance on income from traditional TV commercials.
While ITV is approaching other TV network providers like the cable-based Virgin Media to broadcast its ITV2 HD, ITV3 HD and ITV4 HD channels, its arrangement with Sky is exclusive among satellite TV providers. This means that these channels will not be available on the Freesat free-to-air satellite TV platform which, ironically enough, was launched and funded in part by ITV itself.
A Bloody Outrage this is to Millions of Freesat users, Advertised as a Platform to the Digital switchover in 2011-2012 was anticipated to carry even more HD content going forward, Why now would many be interested in buying a Freesat HD receiver, more to the point why tell us now that after you have bought a Freesat HD receiver there will only be 2 of the main HD channels on it !!!!
If the BBC go down the same root later this year with there new HD channels, this will bring a death to Freesat as an alternative to Sky where If you are after HD Content Sky is the Only way to get it.
The Main reason for this is Money but also the Space on Astra 2D is pretty much full, all the mian Freesat Channels come from Astra 2D a Tight Beam over UK and ROI , but the rest of the Transponder is full of Sky Subscription Channels, Sky in theory have Freesat Channel expansion over a barrel by having this precious Transponer space.
Eventually I see all Freesat dissapearing back onto or under the Sky Broadcasting Umbrella....or at least the Channels of any Value that are not under any broadcasting licence arrangement or funded by the state
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