BskyB has announced a major coup for their Sky TV network by announcing that they have signed an exclusive deal with ITV to exclusively broadcast ITV 2, 3 & 4 in HD over their satellite network.
ITV 1 one is already available through Freeview HD, Freesat HD. But the company has decided to license the rest of its network to Sky rather than allowing the channels to go onto free HD services.
The agreement with Sky is the first step in a five-year plan to change their business model after suffering quite badly due the loss advertising during the economic downturn. They are looking to secure half the broadcasters income through other means to advertising. This deal brings them a step closer to that goal.
The announcement came as ITV set out its half-yearly results, including adjusted pre-tax profits of £118m in the first half with a market-beating 18% year-on-year increase in TV ad revenue. Group revenue rose marginally from £909m to £987m; ITV currently derives 74% of its revenue from advertising
The company’s chief executive, Adam Crozier, said: “For the past decade ITV has not faced up to the challenges presented by the rise of internet-based platforms, the continuing growth of pay TV and subscription services and the globalisation of content.
The deal with Sky marks the broadcaster’s first pay-TV venture since the collapse in May 2002 of ITV Digital, the digital terrestrial subscription business backed by ITV companies Carlton and Granada. Which went bust and left ITV in disarray.
So how do feel about the fact that Sky has snapped up the right to ITV HD 2,3,4 for their network. Will it make you consider joining Sky? Let us know below.
6 thoughts on “ITV Sign Deal With Sky for ITV HD 2,3,4”
Who really cares? Sky has replaced ITV by having all the best US programmes through its connexion with Fox. The BBC will always get its licence fee and produce good programmes. The once great ITV is yesterday’s channel. If it went all to Sky I’d not be bothered…
Would rather see ITV HD never mind the rubbish that’s on 2,3,4 give us ITV in HD in N.I
I can’t aford sky, it’s bad news for me would rather them be freeview.
Why pay for HD programming when SD programming is just as watchable? For me HD is brilliant but I cannot justify paying extra for content that is available for free on SD.
It is not fair that they took off the 3 ITV stations. Will other stations pick up the programs that were in ITV. You have taken off most of the programs that I liked.