BSkyB To Launch New Digital Entertainment Channel

BSkyB is preparing to launch Sky One Mix, its first new digital entertainment channel for over a decade.

The channel, which will be available to Sky Digital satellite subscribers, is expected to launch in the next few months, possibly as early as November. It will show a mixture of new programmes and repeats of the most popular Sky One shows broadcast within the previous 24-hours.

The news will surprise the industry which was expecting an announcement concerning the launch of a general entertainment channel on the BBC’s forthcoming digital terrestrial platform, Freeview (see Freeview Digital Service Will Launch This Month).

The digital terrestrial channel, which has already been dubbed Britain’s Channel 6, is expected to compete fiercely with the five terrestrial channels for audiences and advertising. However, press reports suggest that it may not proceed for at least two years and may be delayed until 2005.

Channel 6 is a key part of chief executive, Tony Ball’s, initiative to develop the BSkyB’s content offering. It is also viewed as central to the plans of Dawn Airey, Sky’s new managing director of networks, who is poised to join the broadcaster from Channel 5 (see Airey’s Departure Represents Coup For BSkyB).

Plans for Channel 6 may have to wait, but Sky is rumoured to be developing three new music channels and a second general entertainment channel for Sky Digital. The broadcaster is also set to supply a number of channels to Freeview including Sky News, Sky Travel and Sky Sports.

Last month BSkyB secured a deal to supply Telewest with three basic-tier channels for the next four years. The deal will see Telewest broaden distribution of BSkyB’s flagship, Sky One, channel to all its digital and analogue customers with Essential, Essential Plus and Supreme packages (see BSkyB And Telewest In Four Year Carriage Deal).

BSkyB: 020 7705 3000 www.sky.com

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