[alwaysabear]

Originally Posted by Felim_Doyle

I can see how Sky would want to use its own channels and its bouquet of channels from other broadcasters to promote the BSkyB platform but with competition from so many other areas such as Freeview, Freesat, cable, mobile and the ever expanding internet sources, they really need to separate the broadcasting and programme making side of the business from the delivery side and rely more on licensing to other platforms for income.

I don't see protectionism working for Sky in the long term and running the two businesses as independent entities might generate new ideas on how to use the platform for purposes other than just the delivery of their package of radio and TV channels.

I'm sure there is money to be made from more Sky content "Coming soon to ..." a variety of platforms including Virgin TV, mobile and internet services and I agree with Neil Berkett that the availability of programming from the BBC and other broadcasters needs to be improved upon although how that is achieved is a matter for some debate.

Since divesting itself of its own channels (with the exception of its 50% stake in the UKTV channels), Virgin Media is no longer a threat to other programme makers or broadcasters and should be seen as a potential customer rather than a competitor by all concerned.

Virgin media sold their stake in UK TV to Scripps Network interactive. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/04a841ee-c...#axzz1kCuiKcbH