programming + content Programming and Content News Sky News Audience Profile Since its launch in 1989, Sky News has During the war, Sky News’ share of viewing in Q4 2002/03 established itself as a formidable and innovative multichannel homes increased by 650%. force in the world of news broadcasting. It now provides news to 80 million people in over 40 A MORI poll, reporting on which channel was Sky News 48% 52% countries around the world. viewed at all, viewed most, and was most trusted, Total TV 41% 59% stated, “BBC One won the terrestrial race, while Sky Sky News Valued for fairness, balance and had a strong lead over both BBC News 24 and ■ ABC1 ■ C2DE journalistic objectivity by both viewers and CNN for the digital honours”. Source: BARB regulators, the award-winning channel has also earned a reputation for the speed of its 24-hour In September 2002, Sky News also introduced a coverage and flexibility in reporting live news – first. new look morning show – Sky News Today, which features a flexible format, giving space for greater During the year, Sky News continued to perform explanation, analysis and debate. And, earlier in strongly, once again attracting industry recognition, 2003, it introduced a new evening discussion including its second BAFTA award and, for the programme – Littlejohn. 01 Jeremy Thompson – Soham tragedy second year running, it was named RTS News 02 David Chater – Live from Baghdad 03 Julie Etchingham and Martin Stanford on the Channel of the Year, as well as Non-Terrestrial The end of October 2002 saw Sky News become set of Sky News Today Channel of the Year at the Guardian Edinburgh available via DTT under the Freeview brand, one of International Television Festival. Sky’s three channels on the digital free-to-air platform. These awards underlined Sky News’ reputation as In terms of interactivity, over four million votes have the first place to turn to for breaking news: Sky was been received through Sky News Active and the the first British broadcaster to break the news of service continues to innovate, introducing eight full 01 the bombing of Baghdad, signalling the start of the screens of on-demand coverage this year. In addition Iraq War. And it reported live on the battle of Umm Sky News has introduced a pioneering desktop Qasr, broadcasting the first live battlefield scenes, news service – Sky News Alerts. subsequently aired by all UK and most US networks. These innovations, combined with an unrivalled expertise in breaking news, will ensure that Sky News remains at the forefront of news provision in the 21st century. FACT More awards for Sky News: during 2002/03, Sky News won its second BAFTA award, and, for the second year running, was named RTS News Channel of the Year, as well as Non-Terrestrial Channel of the Year at + first the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival. 02 Sky News has a well-earned reputation for the speed of its 24-hour coverage bringing viewers live news – first. 03 Sky News Sky News Active Active Sky digital Sky News Active Online continues to Sky News continued innovate all the Channel choice to innovate this year time – introducing by introducing Sky # 6.8 million subscribers enjoy 8 full screens of on- News Active Online – watching the Sky digital demand coverage a broadband content platform which continued to this year. service based on 1go from strength to strength award winning Sky during the year, reaffirming News Active. its position as the leading provider of digital TV for UK viewers. 14 Annual Report and Accounts 2003 British Sky Broadcasting Group plc Programming and Content Sports In the last year Sky Sports has offered Last football season saw Sky Sports attract its Sky Sports Audience Profile subscribers more sport than ever. There have highest audience for five years with the Premiership Q4 2002/03 been nearly 35,000 hours of programming match between Arsenal and Manchester United. across the five dedicated channels, around a Promoted on and off-air as ‘Face Off’, the clash Sky Sports 69% 31% third of which were broadcast live. between the title contenders drew the biggest live Premiership audience and the third-highest Total TV 45% 55% Sky Sports Among the most memorable moments multichannel audience ever. were Europe’s Ryder Cup victory at The Belfry, ■ Men ■ Women England’s hat-trick of victories in Rugby Union’s Football League competitions returned to Sky Source: BARB Autumn Internationals, and the Cricket World Cup. Sports and the Nationwide League and Worthington Cup each attracted higher audiences than before. The Ryder Cup – which attracted a record golf Sky achieved particularly strong viewing figures on audience for Sky Sports – was live and interactive the day of the Worthington Cup Final and the with Sky digital viewers offered eight different views. Cricket World Cup game between England and They could choose to follow up to three different live Australia, with 47% of multichannel homes viewing 01 matches, catch up with highlights, see an up-to-the- either event. minute scoreboard, analyse a course guide, review the day’s best shots or watch press conferences For the 2003 Cricket World Cup every match was and practice sessions. shown exclusively live through February and March. When matches clashed, Sky Sports used its Sky Sports has since announced a new deal for the interactive technology to offer a choice of live games. Ryder Cup, ensuring that golf’s premier event will be + more exclusively live in 2004, 2006 and 2008. It has also Prior to the Cricket World Cup, the ICC Trophy won extended deals with the PGA European Tour and England’s Ashes tour were also live. After this, for over 30 tournaments and all four World Golf the recent ‘Summer of Sport 2003’ on Sky Sports Championship events each year, until 2008. featured each of England’s one-day cricket internationals and the successful launch of Twenty20 This season the UEFA Champions League has been added to the line-up In other new deals signed this year, Sky Sports cricket alongside England’s Rugby Union victories and Sky Sports will show more live extended its contracts for two of golf’s Majors against Australia and New Zealand. football than ever before. (the USPGA Championship and US Open) Golden League Athletics and NFL American Football, and Sky Sports News, which marks its fifth anniversary agreed a new four-year deal with the Football this autumn, continues to grow with audiences up 02 Association. 50% in the first six months of 2003 and is now available via digital terrestrial as well as digital In the autumn, Sky won the rights to cover live satellite and cable. UEFA Champions League football for the first time. From September 2003, at the Group Stage, Sky Sky Sports Active launched new services, with Sports will have exclusive live coverage of all speedway the eleventh sport to be shown live and Wednesday matches in the UK and up to six live interactive and Sky Bet available through interactive 03 ties on Tuesday nights, with viewers choosing which football menus supported by a new betting-based game to watch through an interactive menu. commentary. The 2003/04 new football season will now showcase Skysports.com also set new records, for unique more televised football than ever on Sky Sports with users and total page impressions during the year over 350 live matches, including the Barclaycard and users of the site have more than doubled Premiership, Nationwide Football League, FA Cup, since the start of 2002. Carling Cup, Tennents Scottish Cup and international football. 01 UEFA Champions League football 02 The Ryder Cup 03 England’s Rugby Union victory in Australia Sky Bet Live Following the success of the Sky Bet service, Sky Bet Live Sky digital launched in December 2002 for the Arsenal v Manchester United game. This provides live in-running betting commentary from the experts for Premiership and Nationwide League football matches. It enables football Interactive TV fans watching a game on Sky Throughout the year, the range of Sports 1 via digital satellite to interactive services from both Sky Active place bets throughout the game and third-party channels on digital satellite while they are watching. continued to expand with a whole host of new games and services launching. British Sky Broadcasting Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2003 15 Programming and Content Entertainment Sky One Audience Profile At Easter 2003 the combined audience of The jewel in the crown of Sky One’s home-grown Q4 2002/03 non-terrestrial TV channels exceeded both portfolio of drama serials is Dream Team. About to BBC One and ITV1, for the first time ever in start its seventh year and achieving its highest ever total TV homes. ratings, it is joined in the ranks by Mile High, our Sky One 47% 53% new drama series charting the lives and loves of Total TV 25% 75% Sky One At the forefront of this sea change in young staff aboard budget airline, Fresh!. Mile High viewing habits is BSkyB’s flagship entertainment launched in September 2002, with the highest ever Age: ■ under 35 ■ over 35 channel, Sky One, which remains the most watched rating for an original drama series on Sky. Source: BARB non-terrestrial TV channel in Britain. Sky One also provides user-friendly interactive Traditionally the home of top US programming, services allied to individual programmes, which in turn Sky One showcases a range of award-winning generate incremental revenues for BSkyB. Temptation acclaimed shows such as Dinotopia – The Series, Island viewers were able to take part in a compatibility Enterprise, Buffy, Angel, Scrubs, Malcolm in the quiz and viewers watching the Michael Jackson Middle – and of course the world’s favourite special were prompted to submit interactive votes.