Sky have officially confirmed the names and remits of its three new music channels, due to launch next month. There will be Flaunt - a mix of chart music, fashion, celebrities and gossip aimed primarily at 13-16 girls. They'll be the charmingly titled Scuzz, the rock and nu-metal station targeted at 15-19 year old boys. And Amp – the station for Q Readers (and you though that was QTV!).
Announcing the new channels Sky's head of music Lester Mordue told reporters: "Sky is entering the music category with the same passion it has for sport and other entertainment. Our channels will be highly interactive with a unique mix of music, lifestyle and entertainment that reflects their audience."
Meanwhile Sky has responded to the BBC's decision to not renew its scrambling deal. Until now the BBC's channels broadcast via the Astra satellite have been scrambled – Sky administer a key system by which viewers in the UK can 'unscramble' the service.
All Sky customers get access automatically, but given BBC services are free anyone with a satellite dish can request a key. The Corporation have paid Sky £17 million a year to administer the service. But now the Beeb have decided to broadcast their signals unscrambled, meaning no keys and therefore no income for Sky. However BBC bosses pledged to spend some of the saving on utilising extra services Sky's electronic programme guide offers, meaning viewers will be able to access all regional programming via their Sky box (at the moment only certain regional programmes can be accessed).
A spokesman for Sky yesterday told reporters: "Digital satellite is an open platform so channels can choose whether to broadcast unencrypted or take up Sky's offer of conditional access services on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms. The BBC's proposals mean that all digital satellite viewers would continue to receive its channels and Sky looks forward to negotiating charges with the BBC for the technical services it is requesting."
Despite its upbeat response insiders reckon Sky are annoyed about the loss of income, especially as other terrestrial channels who currently pay Sky to administer their scrambled satellite broadcasts, in particular ITV, are likely to follow suit. This could be the start of a string of moves by TV companies who pay Sky to broadcast via their satellite network to cut the fees they pay as contracts come up for renewal.