SKY to shut down UHF network

SKY Television confirmed today that its analogue UHF pay TV networks will shut down at midnight tonight.

The early switchover to digital will now give all 785,000 pay TV customers the choice of more than 110 channels, movies and sport in HDTV plus On Demand movies and events through MY SKY HDi and interactive services including electronic programming guide, the Weather Channel, pay-per-view and games.

Over the last six months, through a series of campaigns across the country, SKY has been successful in encouraging the more than 25,000 remaining analogue subscribers to transition to SKY’s digital satellite service.

Martin Wrigley, SKY Director of Operations said “SKY’s analogue UHF service has been in operation since SKY launched in 1990 - a number of the UHF transmitters are almost 20 years of age and nearing the end of their life expectancy”.

“We decided to close down the analogue UHF network, which will result in SKY becoming an ‘all-digital’ broadcaster” said Mr Wrigley.

SKY’s digital subscribers receive crystal clear pictures and superb quality sound (including PRIME plus all free to air channels) and have access to SKY’s pay-per-view channels, as well as additional news, documentary and general entertainment channels. SKY Viewers also have the option to see SKY Sport 1 and 2, SKY Movies and Movies Greats, TV ONE, TV2 and TV3 in High Definition through MY SKY HDi.

Please note that PRIME will not be affected by this analogue switch off – it will continue to be available to New Zealand viewers on four broadcast platforms: analogue terrestrial with 91.3% coverage; SKY Digital with 100% coverage; Freeview terrestrial with 75% coverage and Freeview satellite with 100% coverage.

ENDS