According to reports in the Digital Spy Satellite Forum, the Duty Office of UK commercial broadcaster ITV states that:
“ITV4 will appear on channel 136 (Men & Motors) for one night only on 1 November. M&M will be back on 2 November, as advertised. From 7 November, ITV4 will be available on digital satellite channel 120.”
This means that ITV’s coverage of the Real Betis v Chelsea Champions League soccer match will, after all, be available to Sky subscribers via the EPG.
ITV4 launch on Sky delayed by “administrative issue”
on Oct 30th, 2005 at 19:58
This seems somewhat strange to me, so Chelsea fans get their footbaqll on Tuesday (while M&M fans loose a nights programming).
I can only asume ITV place Chelsea fans above Middlesborough fans then (their match is on Thursday BTW) ..?
on Oct 30th, 2005 at 20:57
Chelsea is in London, so it is obviously more important.
Cynically,
Richard
on Oct 31st, 2005 at 06:16
Sadly, that is the way it will be seen (assuming the is any truth to the story - bearing in mind where it originated).
Just as the BBC puting “BBC R London” on satellite (and nothing else) is being taken as the BBC’s way of giving England (outside of London) “the finger” …
on Oct 31st, 2005 at 14:44
I think you’re both missing the crucial point: ITV has a contract with UEFA to show two live matches from the Champions League. Shutting out about half the people who would normally watch one of the games would weaken ITV’s position when negotiating for future rights. I believe this “administrative issue” was a ploy by Sky to leave ITV with red faces, which has backfired. I don’t believe the identity of the English team has anything to do with it, it’s just a pragmatic decision by ITV to ensure it fulfils its agreement with UEFA.
It’s certainly true, as the ITV website says “Launches on 1st November on Freeview 30 and NTL 15/122. Sky and Telewest viewers can watch ITV4’s launch night on Men & Motors (Sky channel 136, Telewest channel 286).”
on Nov 1st, 2005 at 19:44
The much more interesting news from a continental point of view: All ITV channels are in the clear (FTA) since today 7 PM CET.