BSkyB sets repeats level on EPG

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BSkyB has increased the minimum amount of new programming which must be broadcast by channels on its EPG.

BSkyB has increased the minimum amount of new programming which must be broadcast by channels on its EPG, just weeks after it ceased taking new channel launch applications.

In a document sent to broadcasters, the satellite giant said that from 1 July 2008, it would "only provide an EPG listing to television channels and radio stations which broadcast no less than 6 hours of non-repeating programming in each 24-hour period". It also required "no less than 24 hours of non-repeating programming in each seven day period and no less than 50 hours of non-repeating programming in each 30 day period".

The news will come as a blow to small channels that have a limited amount of fresh content.

"Sky is clearly getting very serious," said the head of one niche broadcaster. "It clearly wants to get rid of the small boys."

Sky also said it saw no "ongoing justification" for applying a different rule to shopping channels, although they have been given until 1 January 2009 to comply.

The document added: "The only television channels and radio stations which will not be required to meet the requirements […] are the those which are intended to provide viewers with information about the EPG or the platform (such as the Customer Channel), "barker" channels intended only for retail premises, and channels available on a pay-per-view basis.

Sky has said it may require broadcasters to pay a deposit of three month's charges for EPG services prior to the launch of their channel if the allocated date is after 1 January 2008.

Earlier this month, Sky said it would counter the fact it was not taking any new applications by making it easier for parties to trade EPG slots. However, Sky has said that while it would not "rigidly require that the service proposition at launch is identical to the one put onto the launch queue", it would not launch a service if the broadcaster of the service had changed or the broadcasting licence had changed.