News Corp has confirmed it will launch a free digital terrestrial television channel in Italy next month in a move that will heat up competition with Italy’s Mediaset and state broadcaster RAI.

The new Milan-based channel branded 'Cielo', which means 'Sky', will start broadcasting on December 1st on third-party leased bandwidth, reaching 12 million families, News Corp said. “Cielo will enrich the offering available on digital terrestrial in Italy, increasing competition in a sector currently dominated by Mediaset and RAI,” Cielo General Manager Gary Davey said.

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