British Satellite Broadcasting (BSB) was a British television company that operated a group of television channels transmitted via satellite. BSB was launched in 1990, with the intention of becoming the leading provider of subscription television services in the United Kingdom.
BSB was formed through a merger between two companies: the Satellite Television Company and British Satellite Communications. The company was backed by a consortium of investors, including British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB), which later became a major competitor.
BSB began transmitting its channels via satellite in March 1990, using the Marcopolo 1 satellite. The company initially offered five channels: Galaxy, Now, The Sports Channel, The Movie Channel, and The Power Station. In addition to subscription channels, BSB also operated several free-to-air channels, including News, Music, and Children's.
BSB's launch was met with high hopes and expectations, as it was the first company to offer subscription television services in the UK via satellite. However, the company faced several challenges, including technical difficulties and intense competition from BSkyB, which launched its own satellite television service shortly after BSB.
In addition, BSB struggled to gain a sufficient number of subscribers, as many consumers were hesitant to pay for a new and untested service. BSB also faced criticism for its high subscription fees and the lack of original programming on its channels.
Despite these challenges, BSB made several efforts to improve its service and attract more subscribers. In 1991, the company launched a marketing campaign featuring the slogan "Imagine the Picture", and also introduced several new channels, including BSB News and BSB Sports.
However, these efforts were not enough to save the company, and in November 1990, BSB announced that it would merge with its main rival, Sky Television, to form BSkyB. The merger was completed in November 1991, and BSB's channels were rebranded as part of the Sky network.
Overall, BSB was a pioneering company in the UK television industry, and its launch marked a significant moment in the evolution of satellite television in the country. However, the company ultimately struggled to compete with its rival, BSkyB, and was forced to merge in order to survive. Despite its failure, BSB paved the way for the growth of subscription television services in the UK, and its legacy can still be seen in the success of modern satellite and cable television providers.