Has Sky's family silver been swept up in the blizzard of spin?
Panem et circenses. It's worked since the Roman days, and it seems it still hasn't lost its appeal to politicians when it comes to getting the populace on-message.
The OFCOM ruling requiring Sky to cut the wholesale prices it charges to other platforms for the jewels in its crown – the sport, the movies – couldn't have come at a better time.
The nation is gearing up for a glorious World Cup this summer, the football season is reaching its climax, and every turned ankle or limping megastar attracts heated discussion in our Forums. What better time to let the public know it'll soon be able to get football on TV – its birthright, its very bread of life – not only on cable or over their phone-line, but also for less money?
So glad that the entirely independent regulator OFCOM, having deliberated for three years – yes, three years – has at last made its pronouncement, bringing joy and delight to a nation in need of some good news.
And best of all, at a time when all is gloom about the economic situation, the national debt and the bottomless pit of public sector borrowing, the move will be revenue neutral. Won't cost the tax-payer a brass farthing, and of course has the added benefit of giving nasty Mr Murdoch's evil empire a rap over the knuckles.
That's the same evil empire that last year announced it was pulling the traditional support of its biggest selling paper for Labour, and backing the Conservatives.
Oh, and this latest announcement also takes some of the heat off the faltering Digital Britain policy, under attack in the Lords for its FM radio switch-off plans, still involved in shenanigans over what it will (or won't) do about illegal movie and music downloads, and due to hit anyone with a phone line with its 50p a month 'broadband tax'.
So, cheaper football for all, down with the evil tyrants, and a positive glow all round. Huzzah! Cloth caps hurled in the air by a grateful nation.
In other news, there's a rumour there might be a General Election in the offing...
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Comments
I'm not completely sure, Mr E, but do I detect a note of cynicism?
You think...?
Great news indeed.. :-)
Even though i don't subscribe to Movie or Sport packages..
I am currently using Sky+ with all packages EXCEPT Sports & Movies...
(I have a job keeping up with the channels i already have) and the only sport i watch is Formula One which of course is on BBC 1 , And movies.. well i have stacks of Blu-ray's & dvd'd still waiting to be seen when time allows..
My Question regarding Sky is.. When will they drop the £10 extra monthly fee for being able to view SKY HD... ?
How long can it take with Freesat HD & Freeview HD snapping at their heels ?
Sanpping at their heels? A few hours of BBC HD and the odd ITV1 HD program do not a proper HD service make.
When this surfaced a few months ago I asked why should Sky be made to charge less for what they offer just because they did well and are a market leader. I got an awful lot of Sky bashing in response but some valid points too. So fair enough, let some regulatory body out there keep a beady eye on 'evil' Sky to keep them fair. However, I think Sky should be entitled to charge what they want. Im currently happy to pay it. I haven't bought a DVD since I got HD movies, what a great saving! Should it go up? Well, there's plenty of choice out there and I'll be happy to go with them. Enough people leave Sky, then they will have to drop prices. Simple market forces.
To be honest a lot of this bad feeling towards Sky seems to come from a dislike of the Murdoch family anf the fact they've made a few thousand footballers very wealthy.
Lets be honest Sky have provided a service which would not exist if they had not invested an awful lot of money in the early years of satellite tv.something that British companies/government have failed to do for many years hence we have no car makers of our own and most of our utilities are owned by foreign companies.Mr Murdoch has provided me with fifteen years of top sport and films and although I do not know the man I would like to say thankyou to him.So stop whinging all those people who want something for nothing!! Clive - Oxford
Freesat HD still has a heck of a long way to go with regard HD. 2 HD stations won't even flicker an eyelid from sky's direction. Promises promises freesat.
I have to agree with Clive. Sky made a loss for years bringing football to the masses. They did the work, they should be allowed to make a profit selling the service to other latecomers to the market. If they'd been told at the outset that they would only be able to profit on their investment in infrastructure and viewing rights for a few years before being forced to sell it on at cost, does anybody think they'd do it again? Of course not. With this ruling setting a precedent does anybody think Sky would make a similar long term investment in anything as groundbreaking again? I don't think so.
Well i stand to be corrected but as i recall a lot of the early work and innovations for hd technology and digital technology came from the bbc
I have to completely agree with Clive Smith. Its the same as the ppl who bash Tesco for making so much profit. Fair play to them for being a well run sucessful company. We need a lot more like them in the UK.