ScreenScribe

Don’t expect to see any of Prime’s best and brightest for 2012 in HD. Sky chief executive John Fellet again has ruled out the prospect of the satcaster’s free-to-air channel switching to HD in the foreseeable future. He says Prime’s ratings, which hover in the 4%-5% range, would need to average 7%-8% to justify the [...]

In another blow to lovers of quality drama and documentaries, Sky TV has ruled out Prime switching to HD in the foreseeable future. The confirmation comes just as the satcaster’s free-to-air network notched up record ratings for Tuesday’s premiere of the sensational costume drama, Downton Abbey. The first episode is being repeated tonight at 9.35 [...]

As the 2010 Commonwealth Games draw to a close, it’s worth reflecting on how Sky dropped the ball with its so-called “free-to-air” HD coverage on Prime. This was a chance for the pay-TV operator to capitalise on what’s been a big year for Prime ratings-wise. Not only has viewership been up year-on-year with viewers five-plus, [...]

Prime TV at last is to start broadcasting in HD — but it may be only for the duration of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The free-to-air network is one of five channels that its owner, Sky TV, will use to screen more than 1400 hours of live coverage. Sky subscribers won’t have to pay extra [...]