What Sky TV's dispute with Discovery means for you

From Digital Spy

Discovery's ongoing battle with Sky has been the talk of TV this week, with the broadcaster's 13 channels set to be removed from Sky and Now TV services as of Wednesday (1 February) unless a resolution is found.

But what exactly is going on – and, more importantly, what does it mean for you? Here's a quick guide to what's happening to your telly box.

What is going on between Discovery and Sky?

Last week Discovery UK claimed that Rupert Murdoch's media giant "refuses to pay a fair price" for their channels and that financial negotiations between the two companies had reached an "impasse".

It therefore said it would be pulling all of its channels from Sky TV and Now TV services.

A Sky statement in response accused the broadcaster of "misleading claims" yet seemed prepared for the inevitable action that was to follow.

"Sadly we have now had to prepare for Discovery to take their channels away from Sky customers, as they have threatened to do," a Sky spokesperson said.

"It is Discovery's choice to do this, not ours. We never left the negotiating table and they haven't come back to it since they made their threats public this week. Sky doesn't boot channels off our platform."

However, Discovery has still been urging its fans to get in touch with Sky to keep their programming on there.

You can read both Sky and Discovery's statements, if you like.

How many channels will Sky and Now TV lose and what will they be?

Thirteen, including a mix of documentary and sports channels that the broadcaster operates.

The full list is:

• Discovery Channel

• TLC

• Eurosport 1

• Eurosport 2

• Animal Planet

• Investigation Discovery

• Quest

• DMAX

• Discovery Turbo

• Discovery Shed

• Discovery Science

• Discovery History

• Home & Health

When will this happen?

Discovery UK has threatened as of the end of 31st January, although Sky has warned customers that they could be removed "at any point from 1st February".

Where else can I get these Discovery channels?

All 13 channels will still be broadcast on Virgin Media and BT TV boxes, while Quest is also on Freeview.

Virgin Media's TV-only packages start at £20 per month (with a £15 activation fee but you can use your own phone line), while BT is currently doing an entertainment deal for £12 a month, although you will need to switch your broadband and phone to BT (from £26.99 a month, £60 activation fee).

What else can I watch on Sky that's like what Discovery offers?

Sky has channels such as National Geographic, History and CI in most existing packages that scratch a similar investigative itch.

It also has 800 episodes of documentaries on-demand if you're a Variety or Box Sets customers (£9.50 or £8 apiece if you're not), including the David Attenborough Collection.

For Eurosport devotees, there's Sky Sports, of course, and its major cover of Premier League, cricket and NFL, for £27.50 more a month (£18 if you already have Sky Cinema).

I want to talk to somebody about this!

Hit up Sky Live Chat or you like phones, ring 03442 41 41 41 if you're in a customer in the UK or 0818 719 819 if you're in the Republic of Ireland.

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