Vectone’s Sky EPG return ‘unlikely’

It looks like the future for the Vectone TV channels is bleak after they were removed from the Sky Digital EPG a couple of weeks ago.

According to a reliable source, BSkyB suspended five of the six Vectone TV channels EPG for “non-compliance”. Meaning, the EPG slots were not used to their full potential. The removed Vectone TV channels were not broadcasting the hours that were agreed with Sky. All that remains of Vectone now is their ‘Vectone2U’ channel, which broadcasts a mere 2 hours a day (minimum time agreed with Sky).

Today’s news will be seen as a major blow to broadcasters Vectone TV was talking to for carriage of forthcoming channels. With the five EPG slots that were previously available, Vectone was hoping to ink deals with other channels such as ‘Sahara One’ and ‘Filmy’ who could have launched in the former Vectone EPG spaces. This now looks unlikely.

There are also reports suggesting that Vectone and the broadcasters in question could not reach a deal and so when the BSkyB’s EPG contract came up for renewal, Vectone opted not to renew, which was a good way to let the channels close.

We will have a clearer vision of what lies ahead for the Vectone channels and if they return, how and what will they return as? Keep it with BizAsia.co.uk for continuous updates.