BSkyB, Flextech and UKTV sign five-year deal

British Sky Broadcasting, Flextech Television and UKTV have agreed a new five-year carriage deal.
The agreement ensures that Flextech's wholly-owned channels and the UKTV services, jointly owned by Flextech and the BBC, will continue to be available to Sky digital's 15 million viewers until the end of 2006. With a combined total of 13 channels, the Flextech and UKTV portfolio includes such well-established brands as UK Gold, UK Style, Bravo and Living.
Sustained growth in Sky's digital subscriber base has helped to significantly increase combined reach of the Flextech and UKTV channels from 23.5 million individuals in 1998 to approximately 36 million at present. Their combined share of basic-tier multi-channel viewing, a significant 20.4 per cent in 2001, reflects the value of these channels within Sky's basic retail package. The five-year deal announced today signals both sides' willingness to continue this mutually beneficial relationship well into the future.
As well as distribution of the Flextech and UKTV television services currently retailed by Sky, the deal provides for the forthcoming launch on Sky digital of Trouble Radio, a sister service of Flextech's popular youth channel, Trouble TV.
The deal also provides for the launch of additional new services and interactive developments in the future.
BSkyB, www1.sky.com
(GB)