Sky considering launch of sixth sports channel

Sky is considering the launch of a sixth sports channel to add to its Sky Sports 1, 2 and 3 and Sky Sports Xtra and Sky Sports News channels.
Media regulator Ofcom has awarded the broadcaster a new licence, which has been registered under the name Sky Sports 4, for a cable and satellite-only service and not for Freeview application, meaning Sky could not explore the option of broadcasting selected football Premiership matches or highlights on a free-to-air basis.

Sky is reportedly keen to find ways to transmit some of its live Premiership football coverage on the Freeview platform, possibly through a pay-per-view method. In May month, Sky was awarded 92 Premier League matches a season as part of a new contract, with 46 matches a season awarded to Irish broadcaster Setanta for a three-year period starting with the 2007-2008 season.