Outlook: Murdoch set for digital dogfight
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Outlook: Murdoch set for digital dogfight
AFTER MONTHS of hype and corporate bluster, the battle lines for the great digital dogfight of 1999 are becoming clear.
On the evidence of the past week, Rupert Murdoch's BSkyB looks like the clear favourite. While British Digital Broadcasting - sorry, ON Digital - announced its new name in a blaze of publicity on Tuesday, it couldn't disguise the fact that the rest of its strategy is in tatters.
The reason is that Sky, which unveiled its plans on Thursday. It will launch in October with a massive marketing campaign - ably supported, no doubt, by Uncle Rupert's newspapers - and an impressive array of channels, sport and pay-per-view movies. The whole lot will be available for a starting price of less than pounds 10 a month and, hey, when you've forked out pounds 200 for a dish they'll even come and install it for nothing.
This leaves ON Digital's offering looking rather threadbare. It was supposed to be a cheap and cheerful alternative to Sky, bringing you 30 channels for under a tenner without the stigma of having to fit a dish to the side of the house. But Sky has signed up all the channels - many of them on an exclusive basis. And it looks as if ON Digital's price advantage has disappeared as well.
However, this is not a two-horse race. While Sky looks streaks ahead of ON Digital already, the real threat could be from the cable television companies. The prospect of the full 200 channels, no satellite dish, and high-speed internet access as well could prove a compelling alternative to what Sky is offering. As ON Digital has found to its cost, however, Sky will not give up its stranglehold on the couch potato without a fight.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments