Sky expected to resist new Irish regulation - newspaper

[Analoguesat]

Sky Television is set to strongly resist efforts by the broadcasting watchdog to regulate part of its service for Irish-based customers, reports the Sunday Business Post. The newspaper says the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) is proceeding with plans to introduce rules for Electronic Programme Guides (EPGs) available in Ireland. These are the on-screen TV guides used by digital and satellite providers. The new rules could mean Sky would be forced to prioritise Irish stations on its EPG.

RTE 1,RTE 2,TV3 and TG4 already get top positions on Sky’s Irish EPG, but new commercial station Channel 6 has a much lower number on the guide, and has been seeking a more prominent slot. Industry sources say Sky will maintain that it should only be regulated by the British communication regulator, Ofcom. Under the EU’s Television Without Frontiers directive (TWF), TV services are governed by regulators in the country of origin.

The BCI has been consulting with stakeholders and will bring a proposed code for EPGs before its board members in early October, and expects to introduce it later this year. A Sky Ireland spokesman told the newspaper: ‘‘Sky is in ongoing dialogue with BCI on this issue and does not think it is appropriate to comment until we receive the BCI’s view of the matter.”

(Source: Sunday Business Post Online)

[BGonaSTICK]

Originally Posted by Analoguesat

Under the EU’s Television Without Frontiers directive (TWF), TV services are governed by regulators in the country of origin.

Wouldn't it be ironic if Sky fell back on that dusty tome as a defence.

[Analoguesat]

This has been stirred up by Channel 6 Ireland who are still grousing about the low epg slot they got. They badly wanted epg 105 in Ireland, but got something up in the 200's when they launched! :roflmao:

[BGonaSTICK]

Channel 6 wanted slot 105? :

[Analoguesat]

Yeah - they reckon they are the Irish fifth channel

They couldnt have 106 of course as Sky were never going to let go of that one

[elton]

Mmmmm ... interesting stuff. So I presume that the BBC and ITV channels have been moved elsewhere on the EPG or do the Irish not get them?

I remember seeing some years ago on Astra some Irish channels and they weren't that bad ... be nice if we got to see them here.

[Analoguesat]

BBC1, BBC 2 & C4 are up in the mid 100's on Irish epg's
ITV Channels can be tuned in manually
C5 is not available on Irish cards.


RTE International may launch later this year (although its gone suspiciously quiet recently)