Sky One, the premium satellite and cable broadcaster today (October 19, 2006) poached the exclusive broadcast rights to LOST in the UK for Seasons 3 and 4 from its former broadcaster Channel 4. Channel 4 originally won the contract from Buena Vista International in 2004 and were understood to be in re-negotiations for several months before Sky One outbid them with an estimated £700,000 ($1,300,000) cost per episode. Several other channels were also rumoured to be interested in the show, including five. The new rights also include High Defintion broadcasts, mobile phone content and Video on Demand rights. Sky plan to air the first 6 episodes of LOST before Christmas, then after a short Christmas break air episodes within a week of US broadcasts.
Sky One head Richard Wolfe said that LOST was "the envy of every network" since it began in the Summer of 2005 in the UK. "The series has defined TV drama over the last two years," he added. "We are absolutely thrilled to bring it to Sky One." BSkyB will also be airing LOST on Sky Three, its digital free-to-air service, but will be subject to Sky's standard 6 to 12 month delay from its Sky One airing.
