Distribution snags mar ITV3 launch

net1

ITV's over-35s station, ITV3, will launch on November 1 - but only Freeview customers, less than a third of the total digital audience, will be able to tune in.

ITV has yet to sort out a slot for the channel with cable giants NTL and Telewest and has been told by BSkyB there is no space for it on the sky digital satellite platform.

The ITV chief executive, Charles Allen, said today he was still in negotiations with cable bosses but has yet to start talking to Sky about a satellite slot.

"It will come on to Freeview, then move on to cable," he said. "We're happy to put it on Sky, but Sky are saying they can't put any new channels [on sky digital] for six months. The overall issue is when they can take it."

sky digital, with over 200 channels on its electronic programme guide, is received by over 7 million homes, more than cable and Freeview put together.

The limited distribution threatens to get the new channel, which is costing £12m a year, off to a slow start.

ITV is targeting the over-35s with a mix of drama, films and repeated entertainment shows.

Mr Allen said there would be three "premium movies" a week on ITV3, as well as behind-the-scenes programmes related to ITV1 shows.

Other programming will include repeats of Parkinson and Today with Des and Mel, and omnibus editions of The Bill.

ITV is launching the channel to run alongside its more youth-oriented ITV2 channel, where the budget is being increased from £24m to £48m. ITV1's budget stands at £841m

BarMoo

LOL. Let's just face it, those two just don't like each other.

What ever stopped ITV squeezing more channels into limited bandwidth: just think OnSquigital.

Surely, slipping in an extra channel into a SAT MUX can't be that difficult? The "London" MUX currently has 5 channels - all other ITV tps's have 7 channels.

Hey presto: Mark's sorted it out!!

That said, I don't imagine all those London types getting too excited with the addition of yet more crap (sorry, channels) - that would lower the quality of their Sky-on-widescream-plasma experience.

Have Fun,

Mark.

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Have Fun, Moo.