According to a Jan. 3 article on The Scotsman’s Web site, BSkyB could deploy some new technology in its satellite television set-top boxes that would allow viewers to screen out commercials. According to the article, BSkyB receives more than 80 percent of its revenues from subscribers, thus minimizing the impact of allowing advertising to be screened out. This new technology would, however, hurt other United Kingdom broadcasters ITV, Channel 4 and Five, which rely on advertising revenues. The details of the technology were included in a filing with the United Kingdom’s Patent Office.
A BSkyB spokesman was quoted in the article as saying the company has no plans on deploying the technology for the purpose of screening out advertising.
