Sky warns cable viewers channels may go

Sky has warned Virgin Media customers that channels including Sky One and Sky News may be pulled from cable unless a new carriage agreement is reached.

The satellite broadcaster has inserted adverts into the cable feeds of some of its channels inviting cable customers to call Virgin Media about the situation. Sky One, Sky News, Sky Sports News and Sky Travel would potentially be pulled from the platform if the two parties are unable to reach a new agreement.

A statement from Sky says it believes it is requesting a fair price from Virgin Media to carry the channels, which reflects their "proposed new terms and considerable value."

The statement said: “We want our basic channels to remain available to NTL-Virgin customers and we’re working towards a new agreement that will keep them on air. We want to avoid disruption for customers who enjoy these channels but, ultimately, it is NTL-Virgin’s choice. We’d urge cable customers who feel strongly about this situation to tell NTL-Virgin what they think.”

A spokesman from Sky also said that it would like to be able to offer more of its channels on the platform, like Artsworld and Sky Three.

Customers on the DS forums have already entered the debate, with mixed reactions. One post points out "It's thanks to Sky NOT cable that we have the TV we have. Sky has forced cable to compete and improve."

But many have also expressed "disgust" at Sky's tactics and are urging others to complain to Ofcom and the Advertising Standards Authority about the advert.

Last week, Sky warned it would be pulling its three free-to-air channels off the digital terrestrial platform, to make way for subscription-based services.

Liberal Democrat councillor Martin Curry said: "If Sky pull out of free-to-air DTTV, Ofcom should seek other providers of free-to-air programming."

Curry has suggested Euronews, CNN, RTE:International or another free-to-air general entertainment channels could offer their news services to replace the lost Sky channels.