British Sky Broadcasting Plc has formalized its jilting of former German digital television ally Bertelsmann AG and has leaped into bed with its archrival, Kirch Gruppe. It will take a stake of up to 49% in DF1, Kirch Gruppe’s digital television service in Germany. Media industry analysts do not expect BSkyB to pay any initial cash consideration for its share of DF1, which will go live in just under three weeks time with 17 channels. In France, Canal Plus SA said the decision was no suprise and admitted that it too could do a German digital television deal with Kirch.
