Viewers would support ITV pay model

chris

A survey commissioned by financial analyst UBS has found 40% of UK terrestrial viewers would be prepared to pay for their television were ITV to move its channels to a pay model.

The struggling commercial network currently broadcasts four thematic channels; ITV2, ITV3, ITV4 and CITV on cable, satellite and DTT. In June it was reported that ITV had held talks with Sky with a view to moving its bouquet into one of the satcaster’s pay-TV tiers.

Such a move would call into question ITV’s commitment to both Freesat and Freeview, not to mention the undermining of the ‘Pay once, no subscription’ message delivered by the two free-to-air platforms.

The UBS consumer survey, commissioned from GfK NOP, found 24% of non-pay homes would be likely to subscribe if ITV2, 3 and 4 were only available on Virgin Media and Sky. The figure rises to 40% in the unlikely scenario of ITV1 also becoming pay.

The survey also found one third of households with terrestrial television would be likely to move to pay-TV “in the future”.


Source:BroadbandTVNews

rolfw

LOL, I love the way they interpret the statistics from these somewhat dubious survey results.

My interpretation would be that the majority of viewers would not support ITV pay TV model.

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Tivù

I agree entirely.

Apart from anything else, now that they've even desecrated "The Bill", there is nothing worth getting "for free" on ITV any more, let alone at additional cost.

Mickha

Its got be part of the ongoing battle for ITV to get part of the Television Licence Fee.
They know that the government daren't let these channels encrypt, especially this close to the Digital switch over, it would cause chaos, with older viewers, who are already struggling with the idea of Digital.
There is little doubt that there will be a re-distribution, of the Television Licence fee, the only question is how much will the BBC be forced to give up.
Personally it wouldn't affect me as I haven't viewed any British Television for a number of years so obviously I would never miss it
One question is would ITV be allowed to retain coverage of sporting events, like the Champions League, or World Cup, if they encrypted?
I doubt it and these must bring in a lot of revenue for ITV.

petert74

Just to clarify, this would be ITV2 etc becoming part of a SKY Package is that correct!!!

Not like ITV 2 etc becoming Free to View like Five US and FIVER.

Whilst on the subject what is the future for FREE to VIEW from SKY??

Surely they will need more channels or whats the point???

PaulR

Yes, ITV2 etc would become part of of $ly's packages, not part of the FTV card group.

It's not known for sure what $ly intend to do with $ly 3 and FTV.

The FTV card is probably down in $ly's books as a taster to tempt people into their subscription packages. I agree that with fewer and fewer channels needing the FTV card it becomes less attractive. There are many expats who use the card to get ITV1 as a stronger signal on an excrypted non-2D signal, so there's a small amount or sales there.

Returning to the original post, it's a prime example of spin in action. I'm one of the majority who certainly wouldn't pay as I already won't pay for $ly at the moment!

I agree with Mickha that it's probably not a preferred option and just a little bit of sabre-rattling to get a piece of the licence fee. That doesn't mean that they wouldn't do it though. If they go down without joining $ly and stay afloat if they do which way would you go?

PaulR As I get older I find myself thinking about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

petert74

Im not sure thats true as all the ITV channels are clear and none are on the south beam or strong beam.

The strongest ITV channel here in southern spain is Channel Islands and I have a jersey registered card, but my strongest channel is Central (south) which we watch via other channels because of our issue with the H beam!!!!

PaulR

It doesn't affect me but I'm sure that I've read that some of the minor ITV regions had to move back on to the 2A/B birds and that they went encrypted at that point to preserve viewing rights for ITV.

PaulR As I get older I find myself thinking about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Tivù

It isn't correct that all ITV Channels are clear:

12402 V 275000 2/3 Astra 2B North

ITV Regions Meridian South East, Meridian North, Anglia TV West, Yorkshire TV East, Tyne Tees TV South Central TV South West all Encrypted in Videoguard.

It's been like like for around a year and whilst it has benefits for those with Sky Cards who are outside 2D's Footprint, it has led to a few grumbles from some BBC/ITV Freesat (not FreesatfromSky or Generic FTA) users who don't get their true local Region on their EPG.