Sky blanks screens for Virgin customers

Cable television viewers have been caught up in a bitter battle between Sky and Virgin Media.

The satellite broadcaster has withdrawn Virgin Media's rights to provide Sky’s basic channels to its cable TV customers in a contractual dispute. The channels, which include Sky One and Sky News, became unavailable to cable viewers this morning.

Sky uses its Sky One channel to broadcast many of the most popular shows, such as 24, Lost and The Simpsons. However, Virgin Media has managed to buy the rights to broadcast the hit series Lost directly from producer ABC.

The contract for Virgin Media (formerly NTL/Telewest) to carry the channels expired on 1 March and negotiations to draw up a new one stalled over costs.

Virgin Media insisted that, because fewer people are watching Sky One, it should pay less for the channel; Sky balked at the demand and said that as it has invested more money in the channel, it is more valuable to viewers.

A spokeswoman for broadcasting regulator Ofcom told Computeractive that she couldn't confirm whether or not it was investigating the matter, and that it would only get involved if either Sky or Virgin Media made a complaint.

The spokeswoman added that Ofcom has received more than 140 complaints from the public relating to Sky's recent TV advertisements. Both Sky and Virgin Media have run commercials in the past few days to explain their stances to viewers.

Jocelyn Hay of consumer group Voice of the Listener and Viewer, said: “It will cause confusion among viewers if some of the channels they are accustomed to become subscription channels and necessitate the purchase of a satellite dish.”

The two parties may restart talks over the other channels. Sky Sports and Movies will continue to be shown on Virgin Media as viewers pay a premium for these.