§ Dr. Summerskillasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the cost to the British Broadcasting Corporation, during the first few years, if an early start is made on direct broadcasting by satellite; at what stage he anticipates that a profit would be made; and what is the estimated yield.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe report of the Home Office study of direct broadcasting by satellite—DBS—published on 19 May, gives estimates of costs for a number of options for a satellite system and an indication of the range of cost for the programme services that might be provided by satellite. In my foreword to the report I said that the Government are prepared to give serious consideration to the option for as early a start as possible with DBS, with perhaps one or two television channels and possibly other information services. I have invited comments on the report, and on the Government's broad approach to DBS, by the end of July.
The cost of, and yield from, any particular DBS programme service would depend on a number of factors which are examined in the report—particularly chapters 4 and 13. These include the nature of the satellite system; the number of services to be provided from it; the nature of the programme service to be provided and the number of hours a day it would be broadcast; and also the methods of financing the satellite system and the programme service. In advance of work which will need to be done in the light of the report by organisations wishing to be involved in direct broadcasting by satellite estimates of the kind the hon. Lady is seeking are not available.