[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

How so?

I believe that owning Channel 5 could establish their credibility as a broadcaster with the general public and encourage potential customers over to BT Vision, where there could be an enhanced line-up of BT channels to increase interest in their TV service.

Sky has had a presence on Freeview with Pick TV (previously Sky 3) for a number of years, and they use this not only to bring in additional advertising revenue, but also to showcase their pay channels. BT taking over Channel 5 would be much more prominent and it would be a good lead-in to a later campaign to attract viewers over to them instead of Sky.

This does assume, of course, that BT intends to extend the range of its linear channels, which could include a bouquet of channels with BT Sport as part of that package. This in turn would increase interest in the overall BT offer of a competitive package including TV, broadband, mobile phones and landlines.

And that is where it is relevant. BT currently offers all four, but the TV side of it is weak compared with Sky and Virgin. Increasing the number of linear channels, with some in BT's own name, is bound to attract more people over to the service. Don't you think? And attracting customers to broadband is what their business objectives are all about.

Pick TV showcases Sky's entertainment channels what do you expect BT to showcase on Channel 5 ? Considering they currently only own Sports channels.