BSKyB has handed over the running of its three music channels to the company behind rival channels Chart Show TV, the Vault and B4. The move follows an unsuccessful attempt by the Sky network to threaten MTV's dominance in the music TV space. When Sky launched Amp, Scuzz and Flaunt, MTV was in danger of losing its number one status to the booming EMAP music channels, which included The Box and Kerrang! TV. But MTV has subsequently fought back against EMAP, while Sky's own channels failed to win major audience share from either MTV or EMAP.
In the new deal Sky will retain ownership of its music channels, but Chart Show TV will have full editorial control. A spokesman for Sky told reporters: "Sky's music channels are a distinctive and valued part of our customer proposition. We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Chart Show that will create operational efficiencies and deliver benefits of scale to advertisers".
Sky's 13-people-strong in house music team are likely to be made redundant following the Chart Show deal.