10 June 2007
BSkyB is to begin charging a pay-TV rate for Freeview customers wanting to watch a number of Sky channels.
Though the application has not yet been finalised, under a deal brokered with the telecommunications regulator Ofcom, BSkyB will be allowed to charge Freeview customers if they want to watch certain Sky channels, providing the digital TV provider offers other channels to its rivals.
Ofcom had initially expressed concern at the pay TV idea, suggesting that the decision could "diminish the appeal of Freeview" according to Daily Mail, but it is thought that by offering channels to rivals like Setanta and Top Up TV, BSkyB may be granted permission.
Among the programmes proposed to cost Freeview viewers extra are Premiership football, a number of entertainment programmes and Sky's news channels.
BSkyB's rivals have already hit out against the proposals, with Setanta stating that it fears Sky's plans will damage prospects for its Premiership coverage, which starts this August. Setanta has already paid £392 million to break Sky's exclusive hold on football coverage and now needs about 750,000 new subscribers to make its money back.
Virgin Media has also voiced its anger, accusing BSkyB of undermining the whole point of Freeview
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