If I am correct then an old Sky card will still work and give you the
FTV channels. The problem with that is that the cheapest you are going
to get one of those at the moment is to subscribe to Sky for a year,
which is hardly a cheap option!
There was talk though a bit ago of Sky issueing cards where for a one
off payment you could get a Freeview type package.
http://skydigital.mediabullet.co.uk/...p?page=jan2003
Article
02/01/03 Sky "Freeview" package to launch
At the time nothing happened, the price was probably too high, if you
are only going to get the Freeview channels you might as well get
freeview it would be cheaper. Now though I wonder if Sky will do that.
It would give the opportunity for those outside of the Freeview area
to get the package, and would help in the switch off from analogue TV,
which obviously this move sets back severely.
Freeview coverage is still shakey, large parts of Coventry for
instance are still outside of its official reception area, DSAT is the
ideal platform for coverage.
Who knows?
In the longer run the government could help the channels negotiate for
rights and it depends on how many people in Europe manage to still
pick up the BBC channels. In the long run shaping the signal on
Britain should be able to get a tighter fit, and in the long run I
think all the FTV channels will become FTA.
However I can still see a bleak few months viewing for FTV viewers.
Regards,
Ed.