Sky prepares a Picnic
Mark SweneyMonday October 1, 2007
MediaGuardian.co.uk

Sky aims to launch a factual and a children's channel as part of its proposed pay TV service on Freeview, it said today.
Sky has submitted plans to Ofcom to put three free-to-air channels currently available on digital terrestrial television behind a pay-wall and market the new channels under the brand Picnic. It currently offers Sky News, Sky Three and Sky Sports News on Freeview.
Sky today revealed that, subject to the outcome of an imminent Ofcom consulation, it intends to launch a three-channel package using existing MPEG2 technology, and wants to be able to bundle broadband and telephony products into the package.
The first channel on the Picnic service would be a simulcast of Sky Sports 1. The second would show children's shows during the day and Sky Movies in the evening, and the third would offer factual programming during the day and a simulcast of Sky One in the evening.
BSkyB has said it wants to sign up existing children's and factual channels to provide programming for Picnic TV.
"The launch of Picnic will be a big step forward for customers who are hungry for value and simplicity," said the BSkyB chief executive, James Murdoch. "We are looking forward to the conclusion of the regulatory approval process, so we can get going delivering a great service and real savings to customers."
The company has also said that if it can get approval for the more advanced MPEG4 compression technology - which is incompatible with all existing Freeview boxes - then it would launch a fourth channel, Sky News, on the service.
Customers will access the Picnic TV service through a new generation of set-top boxes that will initially be made by manufacturer Sagem.
Other manufacturers are expected to come on board following the launch of the new service, and Sky also aims to make Picnic TV.

what the article is about:

• sky TV is planning put three free to air channels on freeview.
• it will market the new channels under the name of picnic.
• the first channel is sky sports 1, the second being a channel targeted at children showing children's shows in the day and sky movies in the evening and the third channel would be showing factual programmes.

why i chose this story:

i chose this story because it allows me to see how media is expanded and new channels are being introduced to target specific age groups. sky is a big institution and this story is useful in seeing new developments within sky.

what are my views:

i think that sky TV are a big well known brand who have the reputation to launch new channels therefore i believe this launch will be successful. although there are competition from bbc who at the moment are the most popular children's channel on freeview.