Sky Sports News confirmed as leaving Freeview
Only pay-TV subscribers will be able to watch Sky Sports News as of August 23rd.
Sky has confirmed that Sky Sports News will no longer be available as a Freeview channel from later this month.
The digital TV, broadband and home phone provider revealed that the move will go ahead from August 23rd 2010 to enable it to "develop the channel through increased editorial investment".
This date also marks the launch of Sky Sports News's high-definition variant.
According to Sky, its existing subscribers with either the Sports or News & Events packs will be unaffected by the move. Those who do not have either of these will be able to view Sky Sports News as a bonus channel until February 2011.
Sky has pledged to put more reporters and production trucks on the roads in order to respond quicker to breaking news and revealed it will also be adding new presenters and programmes.
Sky Sports News will become an exclusively pay-TV channel.
Under the changes on Freeview, Sky Sports News will become Sky3+1 on Freeview and offer an hour timeshift of the already available Sky3 channel.
From that point, Sky Sports News will only be available on Sky, Virgin Media and TalkTalk TV, along with Sky's online and mobile platforms.
Sky said that changing Sky Sports News to an exclusively pay-TV channel is about "allowing it to benefit from continued growth in subscription revenues".
Also the satellite broadcaster also plans to launch Sky Sports News HD.
Freeview is a UK only digital TV service.
Freeview is a digital television services available via a TV aerial - ie terrestrial.
Freeview is not available via satellite.
Freeview is not available in Spain - dispite what many other installers say and advertise!
Spain has its version of Freeview - it is called TDT - Television Digital Terrestrial.
For more information please visit:
The Sat and PC Guy - Digital Satellite and Terrestrial Installations and Maintenance for the Costa Blanca
or the forum
The Sat and PC Guy FORUM - Digital Satellite and Terrestrial Installations and Maintenance for the Costa Blanca
