Advanced Television

Sky simulcasts LOST finale to deter illegal downloads

May 24, 2010

From Nik Roseveare in London

Sky will broadcast the finale of LOST at 5am on Monday 24th May on Sky1 and Sky1 HD as a simulcast with ABC’s broadcast on the US west coast.

The scheduling move aims to prevent viewers from seeking illegal downloads of the finale – and to save UK fans of the show from having to avoid the Internet for five days in fear of stumbling upon spoilers.

Sky was initially planning to transmit the two-and-a-half hour finale to the US drama in its normal 9pm slot next Friday, before announcing a last minute decision to join broadcasters in Canada, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Turkey in simulcasting the show.

"Since the show’s first season, we have greatly accelerated all of our US network series’ international delivery, broadcast and marketing, and so it’s fitting that many international fans will be able to enjoy its spectacular finale in concert with its US broadcast," commented Ben Pyne, President of Global Distribution at Disney Media Networks.

Categories: Articles, Broadcast, Content, Pay TV, Rights