VLV calls for free-to-air digital satellite for the UK

Viewers, broadcasters, manufacturers and the nation would benefit from the immediate launch of an independent free-to-air digital television satellite service, says Voice of the Listener & Viewer (VLV), the independent watchdog representing citizens and consumers in broadcasting.
Government and Ofcom should work together to facilitate the immediate launch of an independent, digital satellite because it will benefit viewers - and every section of the industry, says VLV, by creating a competitive horizontal market in the provision and delivery of digital satellite services for the very first time. It would also facilitate the process of digital switch-over by removing some of the political pressures the Government will face if it is to meet its target of switching the UK from analogue to digital television by 2012.
One of the problems that the Government and Ofcom face, is that more than a quarter of UK households can not, and will not be able to, receive the free-to-air digital terrestrial television (DTT) service Freeview until after existing analogue transmissions are switched off. In the meantime, many of those who cannot receive Freeview on DTT will have to turn to BSkyB’s satellite service if they wish to watch the five public service broadcasters (PSBs) - the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five and S4C. Sky currently provides a digital satellite service which includes all the PSBs and many other channels on a free-to-air basis. But the Sky service is encrypted and to access it users must obtain a Sky ‘solus’ viewing card which guarantees them free access only for the next five years. Viewers who sign up today, therefore, could face the risk of Sky withdrawing its card, or of a change in its terms, just at the time that switch over is completed.
The launch of an independent free-to-air satellite would introduce for the first time, the benefits of a horizontal market with competition at every level of digital satellite delivery and access - the kind of horizontal market that is now serving DTT Freeview users so well.
VLV chairman Jocelyn Hay said: "Digital technology is now the accepted standard for UK television in the future; it will not go away. It will bring many benefits for viewers and for the nation but there is a problem with distribution during the transition period in that more than a quarter of British households will not be able to receive the digital terrestrial free-to-air service Freeview. For most of these their only option will be to sign up to BSkyB’s free-to-air satellite service. BSkyB’s service is good but Sky is a monopoly supplier and at the present time Sky provides a ‘solus’ viewing card that guarantees free access only for the next five years. Many viewers are reluctant to sign up under these conditions and will continue to resist attempts to persuade them to switch to digital unless an independent alternative is provided. We have considered all the issues and believe that Ofcom, which has been given the duty in the 2003 Communications Act to serve the interests of consumers, where possible through competition, must work with the Government to facilitate the launch of an independent Free-to-air digital satellite service on which all the public service broadcasts and other channels can have a place. The success of the Government’s digital strategy could depend on it."
(GB)