No basic Sky for Virgin customers

BSkyB's basic channels were removed from the Virgin Media platform at 1am this morning meaning over 3 million cable homes will be unable to receive Sky One, Two Three, Sky News and Sky Sports News.

BSkyB's basic channels were removed from the Virgin Media platform at 1am this morning meaning over 3 million cable homes will be unable to receive Sky One, Two Three, Sky News and Sky Sports News. The move follows a week long dispute between the two groups.

Virgin Group chairman Sir Richard Branson said that while he was sorry Sky had pulled its basic channels at least these did not include its premium sports and movie offerings.

He said: 'Consumers have my whole-hearted assurance that Virgin Media will not allow this dispute to prevent us from giving them the freshest and most exciting TV service in the UK. With Virgin Central and our massive library of on-demand programming, there's a lot to look forward to.'

Virgin Media chief executive Steve Burch added: 'Their action here is consistent with their plans to withdraw their free channels from Freeview and, in our view, reflects their desire to limit consumer choice.'

Sky said that it would be willing to re-start talks at any time.

A Sky spokesman said: 'Six frustrating days have passed since Virgin Media last put forward financial terms for a proposed agreement to Sky. As late as yesterday, Virgin Media declined to re-enter negotiations of financial terms and confirmed that it did not intend to make a new offer of financial terms to Sky.

'If Virgin Media decides that it wants to bring back the TV that its customers enjoy, we're available for talks at any time.'