Tech
Sky is "surprised and disappointed" by Virgin's "premature" announcement that Sky's basic channels would be withdrawn from Virgin TV at the end of this month, the broadcaster claimed this afternoon.
In a statement that pointedly referred to one of Virgin Media's former names, NTL, Sky accused the company of trying to "free-ride" and denied that it - as Virgin claimed this morning - wanted to double the price of channels such as Sky One.
"With several days remaining and active discussions continuing, we're surprised and disappointed that NTL/Virgin chose to attack Sky and suggest, prematurely, that their customers will miss out on Sky basic channels from 1 March," the company said this afternoon.
"Unlike the open satellite platform, NTL/Virgin's cable network is closed. The only way Sky's channels can be available to cable viewers is if NTL/Virgin chooses to carry them.
"NTL/Virgin can't expect to free-ride on Sky's commitment to bring viewers the best TV. They need to decide whether they are going to invest in the programmes that their customers enjoy."
Some details about the ongoing negotiations were revealed by Sky. The most-recently made offer - which the broadcaster said "remains on the table" - includes carriage of high definition services, Sky Three, and Sky Arts.
In a statement that pointedly referred to one of Virgin Media's former names, NTL, Sky accused the company of trying to "free-ride" and denied that it - as Virgin claimed this morning - wanted to double the price of channels such as Sky One.
"With several days remaining and active discussions continuing, we're surprised and disappointed that NTL/Virgin chose to attack Sky and suggest, prematurely, that their customers will miss out on Sky basic channels from 1 March," the company said this afternoon.
"Unlike the open satellite platform, NTL/Virgin's cable network is closed. The only way Sky's channels can be available to cable viewers is if NTL/Virgin chooses to carry them.
"NTL/Virgin can't expect to free-ride on Sky's commitment to bring viewers the best TV. They need to decide whether they are going to invest in the programmes that their customers enjoy."
Some details about the ongoing negotiations were revealed by Sky. The most-recently made offer - which the broadcaster said "remains on the table" - includes carriage of high definition services, Sky Three, and Sky Arts.
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