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Premier League football may come to Freeview
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Premier League football may come to Freeview
Fans may soon be able to watch Premier League football and other Sky Sports coverage on their Freeview TVs, under new rules.
Freeview homes could soon be watching selected premium channels, such as Sky Sports and Sky Movies, if Ofcom pushes ahead with plans to open-up the subscription TV market.
In the next few weeks, industry regulator Ofcom is expected to rule that Sky will have to offer its premium content to other digital TV providers at a reduced price, so homes without satellite TV can still watch some channels.
The decision will mean consumers could watch the content on individual Sky Sports or Sky Movies channels, including all the Premier League matches and Ashes cricket, without needing a satellite dish or a subscription to Sky.
Jon Ingram, operations director at Digitalchoices.co.uk, said: “If Sky is forced to offer some of its channels to rival providers at a cheaper price, consumers would be able to supplement their existing package with even more channels - like a TV pick ‘n’ mix.”
“Footy fans could soon be watching FA Premier League action on Freeview, while movie lovers could be watching blockbusters on BT Vision,” he added.
Currently, Virgin Media is the only alternative provider offering Sky Sports and Sky Movies, but Virgin Media’s services are only available in just over 50% of the UK, and the Sky channels can cost up to an extra £37 a month, depending on the package you’re on.
BT Vision, the digital TV service from BT, has already said it will jump at the chance to offer the premium Sky channels to its customers, and is likely to cut the price of Sky Sports 1 to as little as £15 a month.
“Customers having the option to receive Premier League football in new ways and via new platforms apart from satellite or cable will expand the market and will be good for customers and good for sport,” said Marc Watson, chief executive of BT Vision, in January this year.
Sky is set to launch a legal challenge against Ofcom’s decision, on the grounds that it would be using its powers inappropriately in forcing Sky to drop its prices, thereby threatening its market position.
Ofcom’s ruling is expected to be announced in the next 10 days.
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Premier League football may come to Freeview
Fans may soon be able to watch Premier League football and other Sky Sports coverage on their Freeview TVs, under new rules.
Freeview homes could soon be watching selected premium channels, such as Sky Sports and Sky Movies, if Ofcom pushes ahead with plans to open-up the subscription TV market.
In the next few weeks, industry regulator Ofcom is expected to rule that Sky will have to offer its premium content to other digital TV providers at a reduced price, so homes without satellite TV can still watch some channels.
The decision will mean consumers could watch the content on individual Sky Sports or Sky Movies channels, including all the Premier League matches and Ashes cricket, without needing a satellite dish or a subscription to Sky.
Jon Ingram, operations director at Digitalchoices.co.uk, said: “If Sky is forced to offer some of its channels to rival providers at a cheaper price, consumers would be able to supplement their existing package with even more channels - like a TV pick ‘n’ mix.”
“Footy fans could soon be watching FA Premier League action on Freeview, while movie lovers could be watching blockbusters on BT Vision,” he added.
Currently, Virgin Media is the only alternative provider offering Sky Sports and Sky Movies, but Virgin Media’s services are only available in just over 50% of the UK, and the Sky channels can cost up to an extra £37 a month, depending on the package you’re on.
BT Vision, the digital TV service from BT, has already said it will jump at the chance to offer the premium Sky channels to its customers, and is likely to cut the price of Sky Sports 1 to as little as £15 a month.
“Customers having the option to receive Premier League football in new ways and via new platforms apart from satellite or cable will expand the market and will be good for customers and good for sport,” said Marc Watson, chief executive of BT Vision, in January this year.
Sky is set to launch a legal challenge against Ofcom’s decision, on the grounds that it would be using its powers inappropriately in forcing Sky to drop its prices, thereby threatening its market position.
Ofcom’s ruling is expected to be announced in the next 10 days.
