Payview is on, Payview is off
As we have reported before BSkyB has proposed the removal of Sky News, Sky Sports News and Sky Three from Freeview, so Sky can launch a number of subscription services using Freeview transmissions (often quoted as Sky Movies 1, Sky Sports 1, Sky One and Sky News despite the recent renaming of the first channel).
Today, Media Guardian reports that it's all back on again. In a story Ofcom looks into Sky News move
they report Ofcom's Chief Ed Richards saying "There are discussions going on about this but we are miles away from taking any decision". Pointing out Ofcom has, denied reports that a decision had already been made refusing BSkyB permission to change the terms of its broadcast license.
However, Brand Republic in their report Ofcom shoots down Sky pay-TV Freeview plans they claim that Sky's plans "are in tatters after it emerged that Ofcom is not yet willing to give the broadcaster permission to change the terms of its broadcast licence".
Sources said that Ofcom has decided Sky will not be permitted to axe Sky News from the platform, although a spokesman for the regulator said that the formal application, including a public consultation, has not yet begun and that Ofcom has asked Sky to submit additional information.