— Jalipo-BSkyB: BSkyB has signed a distribution agreement with new service Jalipo that puts its Sky News 24/7 rolling TV news channel on the recently-launched U.K. web TV platform. Jalipo offers a curious new online TV subscription model – rather than pay a flat monthly package rate, viewers are asked to buy pre-pay “J:Credits” that are variable by broadcasters and are eaten up on a per-minute basis. Bloomberg, BBC World and Euronews were already on Jalipo. The deal sees BSkyB charging for Sky News even though – despite from yanking it from Virgin Media and Freeview – it’s an otherwise free-to-air channel. Viewing Sky News via Jalipo is actually blocked in its native U.K., however. (Via C21).
– Emap-Channel 4: The U.K. magazine publisher, which also operates some eight music channels on digital TV, has agreed to sell a 50 percent stake in one such channel, The Box, to Channel 4. The half share, costing £28 ($57.5) million, allows the companies to work on a joint venture, likely involving Channel 4’s “4Music” brand, which operates online and as a morning music TV strand on the E4 channel. Emap consumer CEO Paul Keenan: “We will look to exploit new and emerging digital growth opportunities, including video-on-demand, in addition to traditional broadcast revenue streams.” (Via BBC).
— Nuts TV: The lads mag published by IPC will launch a TV channel online as well as on Freeview digital terrestrial later this year. The launch will be a partnership with Turner Broadcasting and ETV that will result in a four-hour strand of post-pub programming weeknights from 9pm to 1am. Expect scantily-clad girls, cars, booze and video of extreme motoring accidents. Online, Nuts TV will be available at the magazine’s nuts.co.uk website and will include broadband catch-up plus participatory features. (Via Guardian).
– YouTube-Swiss Info: SwissInfo, the online arm of Switzerland’s public Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), has become one of YouTube’s latest European content partners. Videos, shot by SwissInfo journalists, are available in English because Swissinfo has a remit to put out content that reflects Switzerland to the world. The YouTube channel is due to be updated weekly. (Via WorldScreen).