Tuesday, July 28, 1998 Published at 13:12 GMT 14:12 UK
Digital turn on for ONdigital
The UK's first digital terrestrial pay TV service will be known as ONdigital, it has been announced.
ONdigital plans to launch its 15-channel network in November to complement free-to-air digital channels from existing broadcasters.
Among its channels will be four each from ONdigital owners Granada and Carlton, four from Flextech in conjunction with the BBC and - for an extra premium - Sky Sports 1 and movie channels Sky Screen One and Sky Screen Two.
Although pricing and the full channel line-up will not be announced until September, Chief executive Stephen Grabiner said the service would be "the best way to get the best television".
Channels available without subscription will be BBC1, BBC2, BBC News 24, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
British Digital Broadcasting has also been negotiating with Viacom to make MTV part of the package in 1999.
Those who want to receive ONdigital's package of channels will also have to pay a subscription.
There have been behind-the-scenes rows between BDB and BSkyB, which plans its own 150 channel digital launch later this year, much of it dedicated to pay-per-view movies.
Originally part of the BDB bid, BSkyB's investment in digital terrestrial TV was vetoed by the Independent Television Commission, although the ITC said its sports and movie programming would be an important incentive for viewers to switch to digital.