BSkyB’s second slot;

net1

BSkyB has set out terms for broadcasters to use the second smart-card in sky digital STBs. BSkyB will make the slot available to all broadcasters who have signed an application signing agreement (ASA) from January 19. Sky Subscriber Services Limited (SSSL) will test the broadcaster cards on box models to ensure compatibility.
The most likely use is a loyalty scheme that rewards viewers for staying with a channel – an option being explored by QVC and Cartoon Network – but could also provide conditional access for paid-for iTV. Some broadcasters, such as shopping channels, could design transactional cards for the slot that involve credit or debit card payments but would first have to seek approval from EMVCo, the international payment standards body. BSkyB has ruled out using the cards as virtual pre-pay devices because it cannot offer the necessary encryption.