[RichardCoulter]

This suggests to me that Freesports weren't happy with the deal that VM wanted and are trying to convince them that their customers really want the channel.

AFAIK Freeview channels have to pay to be on VM, whereas channel owners expect to be paid.

VM regard it as channel distribution (like paying to go onto Freesat/Sky/Freeview), whereas channel owners see it as them providing a service for VM/their customers.

I suspect (but don't know for sure) that secret deals have been done for the poorer Freeview channels that people wanted eg Talking Pictures. Maybe a heavily discounted or cost neautral deal??

I'm surprised that Freesports isn't on though as VM like to boast that they have all the football under one roof.