RTE TO JOIN THE SKY DIGITAL PLATFORM

RTÉ have signed contracts to join the Sky Digital platform with effect from April 2002.
As a result RTÉ One, Network 2 and TG4 and the four radio channels will be available to all Sky subscribers on the island of Ireland. In addition the four radio channels will be available to listeners in Britain, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
In announcing this development RTÉ's Director-General, Bob Collins, said: "Our presence on the Sky Digital platform will make RTE channels available to new audiences - and strengthen the choice of access for many of our existing viewers and listeners. It is of particular importance to us that as a result of this agreement, which is funded through our commercial resources, we have significantly increased the distribution of our TV channels in Northern Ireland."
As Ireland's public sector broadcasters RTÉ are determined to be universally available throughout the country in the easiest and most accessible way possible for all audiences.
To this end the organisation is, as a matter of policy, platform neutral and works with all platform operators including cable and satellite - and will, in the future, do so with digital terrestrial operators. The contract to join the Sky Digital platform is the latest step in ensuring universal availability for RTÉ viewers and listeners in the digital age. (CD)