British Sky Broadcasting is to carry radio broadcasts on its Sky
Digital television service, in a ground-breaking deal with several
premium radio services.
From November, 20 radio stations will be available to Sky Digital
subscribers via their set-top box, making Sky the first digital TV
platform to carry radio broadcasts and providing an easy entry into the
national digital market for many radio stations.
For a number of broadcasters involved in the service, it will mean an
improvement not only in sound quality but will also enable them to reach
a larger audience. Stations such as Capital Gold, Virgin and Talk Radio
will have a national digital-quality signal for the first time, and
local stations such as London’s Xfm will achieve national coverage.
Tony Ball, BSkyB’s chief executive, said: ’Sky aims to be the leading
provider of entertainment, information and communication to the British
home in the information age. The addition of radio services to Sky
Digital further enhances digital satellite television and Sky Digital’s
offering to viewers.’
The complete list of the stations available on Sky is as follows: BBC’s
five national stations, BBC Radios Ulster, Scotland and Wales, BBC World
Service, Capital Gold, Xfm, Classic FM, Classic Gold, The Mix, Planet
Rock, Core, Virgin Radio and Talk Radio.
The Mix, Planet Rock and Core are new digital channels launched by GWR
in tandem with the Sky Digital deal. As well as being available to Sky
Digital listeners, the three stations will be also be broadcast on the
national digital radio multiplex being run by Digital One, in which GWR
is a major shareholder.
