Telewest launches new TV starter pack

Britain's second largest cable operator, Telewest, today declared war on rivals such as Sky Digital and even Freeview by launching a new digital TV starter pack costing £3.50 per month when taken with a Telewest phone line.

The new Starter Pack, launching June 1st, is made up of thirty channels, and includes Sky One.

Telewest's managing director, Gavin Patterson, said: "We want to give consumers a taste of what digital TV is like, as we're so convinced that once they've tried it, they won't want to go back to five analogue channels.

"We're presenting a new service that will break down barriers to getting digital TV and offers excellent value compared to both Freeview and Sky."

The base price of a Telewest phone line is £10 per month, bringing the total cost of a Telewest phone line and the new Starter Pack to £13.50 per month. The Essential package continues to be available at £18.50 per month, along with Supreme at £25.50 per month.

The strategy of offering discounts on services when taken with a Telewest phone line is not a new one; subscribers to blueyonder broadband pay a lower monthly fee than those who take the service standalone. Additionally, digital TV and phone packages have traditionally been sold together as part of a package; but the marketing of this product as 30 TV channels for £3.50 per month could have an impact on those viewers thinking of going digital for the first time.