Philips BSB STU902 satellite television receiver, c 1988.

A Philips STU902 BSB receiver or 'set-top box', from about 1988.

In 1986 it was announced that British Satellite Broadcasting (BSB) had been awarded the franchise to operate direct broadcasting by satellite (DBS) by the Independent Broadcasting Authority. Four services were proposed: an entertainment channel called ‘Galaxy’, ‘Zig Zag’ for children, topical programmes on ‘Now’ and a movie channel called ‘Screen’.

Delayed by technical problems with its high-tech receiver coupled with the distinctive ‘Squarial’, it would be 1990 before the satellite channels became available. The delay meant that the rival SKY satellite service had cornered the market and within six months BSB was in severe financial trouble. By the end of the year, BSB and Sky Television merged to become British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB).