It promises ‘almost 200 television and radio channels and interactive services’ (I’m guessing mostly radio channels and time-shifted free channels) for £150 including installation starting later this year. The press release is “here”:http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=BSY.UK&script=415&layout=0&item_id=580035.
The part I find particularly interesting is the fact that Sky’s boxes have a modem. As they point out, ‘All Sky digiboxes contain an integrated modem and therefore are capable of accessing online services including e-mail, SMS text messaging and public service information from Directgov.’ I wish them every success since the government foolishly failed to mandate modems for terrestrial DTV set top boxes (see “a previous blog.org posting”:https://blog.org/archives/cat_digital_tv.html#000924) and thereby missed a chance to tackle the digital divide.
Thanks to Tech Digest for the news
It’s worth noting that the cards in the set top boxes have a two year lifespan; nobody’s sure what’s going to happen after that.
Comment by Ben — 13 June 2004 @ 3:52 pm
200 channels with nothing on them was the description I heard!
Comment by Anonymous — 15 June 2004 @ 11:02 pm
200 channels with nothing on them was the description I heard!
Comment by Ian — 15 June 2004 @ 11:02 pm