ITV preps pay TV service
In talks with BSkyB
ITV is expected to launch a pay-TV service that'll include a new channel and high definition versions of its current selection.
The broadcaster is in talks with BSKYB to supply HD versions of ITV2, ITV3 and ITV 4 as satellite channels, according to yesterday's Sunday Times (behind a paywall so no link love). New CEO Adam Crozier will announce the initiative tomorrow, August 3, when ITV publish its interims.
In March, ITV chairman Archie Norman said it was "unrealistic" to take ITV2, 3 or 4 into pay-TV, as it wouldn't bring in a greater income than advertising, but added that they may look at the possibility of new channels.
Under the influence of its new CEO, ITV has turned that possibility into reality and the five year plan Crozier outlined back in May is beginning to take shape.
The strategy, expected to include a re-jig at ITV Studios and a bigger programming budget, also sees the launch of a Male-orientated channel, reminiscent of Dave. This new channel is likely to form a bundle with HD versions of current ones in a pay-TV package. Plans for the VOD service and catch up TV are also on the agenda. ®
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COMMENTS
ITV? Pay? For real?
Are we speaking of the same ITV that nearly crashed and burned 8-10 years ago for coming up with a pay service that, um, nobody actually wanted?
Are we talking of the same ITV that gets viewers hooked on a good series (a few homegrown, or numerous imports), only to then cancel said series for a stupid excuse like "to reinvigorate our brand"?
Are we talking of the same ITV that showcases the innumerable talents of Mr. Cowell over and over and over...?
Are we talking of the same ITV that believes ... REALLY... long... ... ... pauses ... ... in critical places (Philip Schofield, Dancing on Ice - I'm looking at YOU) cranks up the tension to unbearable levels? It actually has become so silly it is its own cliché, but hey, it's another 45 seconds that they don't have to fill!
Are we talking the same ITV that cares more about its advertisers than its viewers, to the degree of cutting to adverts during critical parts of sporting events, such as, oh, perhaps, during the FINAL lap of the F1?
Are we talking of the same ITV that still, after all these years, has not learned the art of cutting scenes transparently, and sometimes does things as stupid as dubbing an American shouting an obscenity with a Scouser speaking a softer word. Nah, we'd NEVER notice that...
Are we talking of the same ITV that offers "I'm A Celebrity..." Who the hell are those people?
Are we talking of the same ITV that makes programmes like "The nation's billion favourite adverts" which probably cost next to zero to make and fill an oversized chunk of programming time which is, no doubt, preferable to having a Real Idea.
Are we talking of the same ITV whose lovely rousing go-out-on-a-high-note ending of "Britain's Got Talent - Talent Search" is the same predictable thing every frigging time.
Are we talking of the same ITV that is so obsessed with "brand-awareness" that they'll append the same puke-looking end credits to every programme, and not content with that, they'll do older (like, '80s...) programmes the disservice of the pukey-ending.
No, I don't think we are talking of THAT particular ITV, for if we were, I'd stuggle to wonder why people would be interested in a pay version...
Yeah right
Do ITV really think their output is worth money? I can rarely be bothered to watch it for free.
Running before you can walk.
I'd suggest ITV's big problem is nobody actually wants to watch them at all, even for free. As well as haemorrhaging viewers and going even further downmarket - their fall has resulted in lower ad revenues that they need to fix BY PRODUCING PROGRAMMING PEOPLE WANT TO WATCH.
Pay TV channels is missing the point - crap TV is the problem.
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