Sky Italia plans third DTT channel
June 15, 2015
From Branislav Pekic in Rome
Italian pay-TV operator Sky Italia is planning to launch a third free-to-air channel on DTT in Italy, after Cielo and Sky TG24.
According to a report published in daily “La Repubblica”, Sky Italia is in negotiations with Viacom to take over Channel 8, currently used to transmit the programmes of MTV Italia. Sources told the newspaper that the agreement is definite and should be signed over the next week.
As part of the deal, Viacom would exclusively supply Sky Italia with its programmes and channels, such as Nickelodeon, Nick Jr and Comedy Central.
If the deal should go through, Sky Italia could launch a new FTA channel by the end of August, most likely dedicated to sports.
Sky Italia has thus far refused to comment on the report.