Tech
The ITV Sport Channel is to go free-to-air from tomorrow (May 1st), it has emerged.
As revealed earlier on Digital Spy, the station will remain in operation past the 7am shutoff of other ITV Digital pay channels, along with FilmFour and E4, for at least another two weeks.
But in a new twist, the sports channel will become unencrypted altogether, allowing even more viewers to watch Football League playoff matches.
"The Football League has been advised by the ITV network that the ITV Sport channel is to become a free-to-air service from the afternoon of May 1," said John Nagle, head of communcations at the Football League. "The league is pleased that this will allow fans to see the remaining scheduled-for-broadcast play-off games live on TV. We believe this decision signifies an understanding by ITV and its shareholders of the importance and value of sport to television viewers."
An ITV spokeswoman said: "ITV Sport will continue to broadcast. The channel is not in administration - the digital platform is. The matches should be available to NTL customers and possibly through a set-top box."
DTT viewers can see the ITV Sport Channel on channel 20, whilst ntl:home subscribers will be able to watch the station in the clear on channel 727.
As revealed earlier on Digital Spy, the station will remain in operation past the 7am shutoff of other ITV Digital pay channels, along with FilmFour and E4, for at least another two weeks.
But in a new twist, the sports channel will become unencrypted altogether, allowing even more viewers to watch Football League playoff matches.
"The Football League has been advised by the ITV network that the ITV Sport channel is to become a free-to-air service from the afternoon of May 1," said John Nagle, head of communcations at the Football League. "The league is pleased that this will allow fans to see the remaining scheduled-for-broadcast play-off games live on TV. We believe this decision signifies an understanding by ITV and its shareholders of the importance and value of sport to television viewers."
An ITV spokeswoman said: "ITV Sport will continue to broadcast. The channel is not in administration - the digital platform is. The matches should be available to NTL customers and possibly through a set-top box."
DTT viewers can see the ITV Sport Channel on channel 20, whilst ntl:home subscribers will be able to watch the station in the clear on channel 727.
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