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Thread ID: 69531	2006-06-05 00:41:00	Sky TV to get 15 new channels	Hitech (9024)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
460459	2006-06-05 00:41:00	New satellite signals 15 new Sky channels Monday June 5, 2006 By Martha McKenzie-Minifie Sky Television is preparing to introduce 15 more channels in the next few years as it tries to attract younger, "MTV generation" viewers . The pay-TV network's capacity would rise by 25 per cent to a total of 75 channels when a new satellite, the Optus D1, launched later this year, said Sky TV chief executive John Fellet . Sky TV's current capacity was "maxed out", said Fellet, and new channels had been introduced by dropping under-performing platforms . The new satellite would be "hotter" than the ageing Optus B1 it replaces, meaning more reliable and enhanced services - possibly including the introduction of high-definition programming in several years . Increased capacity would be used to grow subscribers and viewership and was likely to continue Sky TV's steadily rising average monthly revenue per subscriber (Arpu) . Sky TV's total Arpu grew from $50 . 85 in December 2002 to $58 . 38 in December last year . The broadcaster did not make a profit for five years after launching its digital satellite network in 1998 but has made money every year since 2003, last year posting a profit of $103 . 4 million . Fellet said the company had been making the most of its resources by operating the network's channels at full capacity . "I can't stand to have space and not have something in there . To me, that's like a grocery store - and if you don't have something for sale on one of the back shelves, you've got to put something there . " New channels that become available when the new satellite launches would be rolled out at a rate of one or two a year to maximise the impact of their introduction . Some of the new offerings could be used to woo younger viewers being lost through the increasing fragmentation of media, said Fellet, a television veteran of more than 30 years . "This year I've kind of felt for the first time in all my television experience, my customer base actually probably skews slightly older, not much, but slightly older than the population as a whole," said Fellet . "I think it is because young males - and to some degree young females - are watching less television and doing things on the internet, they're texting, downloading things, playing video games . "MTV, we think, helps address some of that," he said . Sky TV would launch MTV in August, before the new satellite launches, by dropping a pay-per-view channel . The new satellite is expected to be launched in September . CanWest's TVWorks, TVNZ and Government-owned transmission company Broadcast Communications Ltd also agreed to lease a transponder on the satellite with the aim of providing free-to-air digital television . The free-to-air networks are part of a group, dubbed Freeview, which is likely to offer additional channels to encourage the public to buy digital set-top boxes needed to use the digital service . Fellet said the Freeview arrangement was part of a natural transition as the industry switched from analogue to digital transmission . He said international experience showed the move had not affected pay-TV significantly and free-to-air channels needed to be wary of adding channels that split up the advertising market and take viewers away from core offerings . The additional free-to-air digital channels would have to go for niche programming to survive, said Fellet . He did not expect competition for content to increase above the already fierce rivalry . Sky TV shares closed down 3c on Friday at $5 . 57, near a year-low . In the past 12 months the shares have traded as low as $5 . 56 and as high as $6 . 70 . SKY HIGH * As at December 31, Sky had 636,286 subscribers . * 562,723 are digital subscribers and 70,848 are UHF subscribers . * 40 . 5 per cent of New Zealand's 1,546,800 households subscribe . source nz herald	Hitech (9024)
460460	2006-06-05 00:53:00	"I think it is because young males - and to some degree young females - are watching less television and doing things on the internet, they're texting, downloading things, playing video games . [/QUOTE] That pretty much says it all . I am amazed at the people who think SKY is value for money . . . endless re-runs of crap movies (unless you pay extra to view the decent ones) and rugby . Ditched my SKY sub a year ago and no regrets :) Think what fun you can have on the net for less than $50 a month :thumbs:	Shortcircuit (1666)
460461	2006-06-05 01:48:00	Who cares? :xmouth: You think its far healthier to sit in front of a tv all day and watch multiple channels of rubbish???? Get a life man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . get out and enjoy life before it passe's you by . . . . and yes ive had sky, and think it is overated for what you pay, a bit like the internet really . . . . lol :D beetle	beetle (243)
460462	2006-06-05 01:50:00	Yeah this is awesome news. I wonder what pay per view channel they are going to drop to accomodate MTV? anyone know? Can't wait for September. Has anyone got the launch date for the optus D1? So i wonder why skytv is having an outage tomorrow then if they D1 satellite it not launching until september?	lance4k (4644)
460463	2006-06-05 01:52:00	Never had Sky and never well do. Maybe if they had a prepaid card which you pay as you use it, like a phone card. Trevor :)	Trev (427)
460464	2006-06-05 02:16:00	Who gives a toss what you think i dont just have sky to watch all day i mainly watch sport and a few pay perviews but that does not mean i watch it all day everyday, my daughter watches a fair bit of it only on the playhouse disney channel which is learning and educational, maybe if you had a life you would learn something from it you useless clown.	Hitech (9024)
460465	2006-06-05 02:30:00	That's fairly unkind Hitech.... you can call me a useless clown if you like, but I can easily afford Sky if I wanted it (and have had it). I just don't see the point in paying $65.00 per month for a load of stuff that I'd politely term 'second rate' (including the movie channels), then be asked to pay extra to watch a decent movie.	Shortcircuit (1666)
460466	2006-06-05 03:12:00	It was just an opinion, mine, :stare: and everybody is entitled to one . . . . . . . . . . . :rolleyes: sorry it caused a problem . :illogical Have a nice day all . . . . . . make the most of the last day of the long weekend . . . . sun is shinning here . . . . . . . . . . . make the best of it eh? Life is too short to live on what if's . . . . . . . . . . . . beetle :illogical	beetle (243)
460467	2006-06-05 09:30:00	Dont know yet what date in september the satellite will be launched you might have to do a google and find (ariane) thats the company the launches satellites by rocket into space. Hope this helps	Hitech (9024)
460468	2006-06-05 12:25:00	"possibly including the introduction of high-definition programming in several years" ..sigh.. wonder how much you have to pay to set up those free to view box dish setup and things..	heni72847 (1166)
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