TV companies to meet Ahern over free BBC package

RTÉ and the other Irish television companies are to meet Minister for Communications Dermot Ahern next week to discuss fears for their viewing figures in the face of competition from a new free-to-air package from the BBC going live in 12 days.

From July 10, BBC will make its eight digital TV channels available free to households with satellite dishes in Britain and Ireland. The move also provides free access to around 90 commercial channels such as CNN, QVC, Fashion TV and other lifestyle and specialist broadcasters for which viewers currently pay a subscription.

Included in BBC’s line-up will be BBC1 and BBC2, already familiar to Irish viewers, as well as CBeebies, a daytime service for under fives;