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looks like the three sky channels are staying on Arqiva's Multiplex C
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Arqiva has requested Ofcom's consent to a renewed carriage agreement with Sky for the provision of Sky's three channels - Sky News, Pick and Challenge - on Arqiva's Multiplex C
http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/tv-broadcast-licences/other-issues/consent-sky-arqiva/
http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/tv/letters/Letter_of_consent_to_Arqiva.pdf
http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/tv-broadcast-licences/other-issues/consent-sky-arqiva/
http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/tv/letters/Letter_of_consent_to_Arqiva.pdf
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They are Sky's only remaining option for devaluing Freeview.
They sometimes have the odd interesting series or programme on, and I expect the weekly American wrestling show on challenge is quite popular with many viewers.
Put it this way, I think there's worse channels for devaluing freeview.
I will have a word with Sky management to see if they can give you a choice of either 3 Sky sports channels of 3 cinema channels instead of the 3 you have now, that would certainly raise the profile of Freeview.
While on the subject of devaluing Freeview tell me what do Gems, TV Rocks @ Co, The Store, Create a Craft, Jewellery Channel, Gay Rabbit, Kiss Me TV, Proud Dating, 1-2-1 Dating, Peace TV, Son Life and 10 adult channels do to enhance Freeview?
Are any of those "Sky" Channels?
I agree (although I do watch Challenge on occasion). Sky would actually be devaluing Freeview more by removing them, however:
* They would lose out on advertising revenue.
* They would lose out on effectively free cross-promotion of their subscription service(s) (how many times have you seen things on Pick TV sponsored by Sky or NowTV?!, or an old series of something with associated "if you want to watch the new series 'upgrade' to Sky now")
* They would lose any influence over the Freeview consortium, of which they are a member.
All in all it's better for them to keep providing the channels. They've been providing three channels since the start so obviously Ofcom aren't going to have a problem with them continuing, and I dare say Arqiva are happy to continue being paid to carry them, especially if it's another full term contract as the initial one was.
Pick (ch 11) is very good if you are a SciFi fan.
It has Enterprise, Stargate and Farscape on most days.
It also shows the excellent Battlestar Galactica (not the old 1978/1980 series, but the later 2004-2009 series which is possibly the best TV SciFi series ever)
Series 2 (of 4) is currently being shown at 11pm on Monday nights.
I still think something may happen with Eurosport as their rights are getting eatern up so maybe they will look at increasing advertising revenues and become the Freeview sports market leader.