UKTV is set to launch a sports channel, ending years of speculation.
The UKTV Sport channel is being given a "soft launch" on October 15 to test the market with advertisers.
A block of sports programming will appear under the brand name UKTV Sport on UKTV G2, UKTV Gold and UK People before a full launch.
It is understood extra investment has been secured by UKTV to increase the budget for UKTV Sport and enable it to finally get the green light.
The bulk of the programming is a new sports series made by TWI, also called UKTV Sport.
Presented by a strong line-up of presenters - leading sports broadcaster John Inverdale, Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis and Radio 1 DJ Nemone - it aims to cover a range of sport, such as hockey, and encourage more people to take part in sport.
According to Sky's website, UKTV will bring the "UKTV Sport channel to Sky, Telewest, NTL and Freeview".
The idea of the BBC or UKTV setting up a sports station has been mooted for over five years.
One source said: "It is difficult for the BBC to launch a sports channel because the corporation's more restricted in setting up new services. It's much easier for UKTV to do it.
"With the extra investment that's been put in it's been made more viable. This block of programming called UKTV Sport is a soft launch. If the test goes well it will become a full channel."
A UKTV spokeswoman said: "To talk of a channel is premature. We are launching a new sports show on October 15 and we may do more sports programming in the future."
The launch comes at an interesting time for UKTV.
Jointly owned by BBC Worldwide and Flextech, the service's future is in question following the planned merger of Flextech's parent Telewest with rival NTL.
The launch is also timely in light of NTL's declaration earlier this week that it wants to acquire Premiership football matches. It has also mooted the possibility of airing them on free-to-air channels.
Tara Conlan
Friday October 7, 2005
The Guardian
The UKTV Sport channel is being given a "soft launch" on October 15 to test the market with advertisers.
A block of sports programming will appear under the brand name UKTV Sport on UKTV G2, UKTV Gold and UK People before a full launch.
It is understood extra investment has been secured by UKTV to increase the budget for UKTV Sport and enable it to finally get the green light.
The bulk of the programming is a new sports series made by TWI, also called UKTV Sport.
Presented by a strong line-up of presenters - leading sports broadcaster John Inverdale, Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis and Radio 1 DJ Nemone - it aims to cover a range of sport, such as hockey, and encourage more people to take part in sport.
According to Sky's website, UKTV will bring the "UKTV Sport channel to Sky, Telewest, NTL and Freeview".
The idea of the BBC or UKTV setting up a sports station has been mooted for over five years.
One source said: "It is difficult for the BBC to launch a sports channel because the corporation's more restricted in setting up new services. It's much easier for UKTV to do it.
"With the extra investment that's been put in it's been made more viable. This block of programming called UKTV Sport is a soft launch. If the test goes well it will become a full channel."
A UKTV spokeswoman said: "To talk of a channel is premature. We are launching a new sports show on October 15 and we may do more sports programming in the future."
The launch comes at an interesting time for UKTV.
Jointly owned by BBC Worldwide and Flextech, the service's future is in question following the planned merger of Flextech's parent Telewest with rival NTL.
The launch is also timely in light of NTL's declaration earlier this week that it wants to acquire Premiership football matches. It has also mooted the possibility of airing them on free-to-air channels.
Tara Conlan
Friday October 7, 2005
The Guardian
