Artsworld saved from closure

Artsworld currently has around 100,000 subscribers

Artsworld, the digital arts and music channel which was to have closed down on Wednesday, is to remain on air.

A press statement said the last-minute turn-around came as a result of a new arrangement between its shareholders and BSkyB, its joint venture partner.

The company has had "a number of approaches from interested parties" and is still in negotations over its long-term future, the statement added.

As far as we are concerned, it's business as usual, which is great news for our subscribers

Artsworld

Artsworld chief executive John Hambley said: "BSkyB have been a key partner in Artsworld consistently since its inception and we are grateful for their continuing and imaginative support for a channel that remains unique in digital television."

The channel is speaking to other shareholders about securing further funding, but no time limit had been set for this, a spokesperson added.

"As far as we are concerned, it's business as usual, which is great news for our subscribers."

The channel was due to have closed down 20 months after it was first launched.

Performance art is part of the channel's output

It had failed to secure further funding following the launch of BBC Four, and blamed the government for allowing the BBC's arts channel to launch.

The BBC denied the launch of its arts channel had any impact on Artsworld.

"The chief executive of Artsworld assured Greg Dyke a month ago that if Artsworld were to close it had nothing to do with the launch of BBC Four," a BBC spokesperson said when the closure was announced.

Artsworld, which has has 100,000 paying subscribers, currently broadcasts between 2pm and midnight daily.

It offers a varied range of arts programmes, including opera productions, documentaries on art exhibitions and films from such directors as Pasolini, Visconti, Marcel Pagnol.

It is currently the only satellite channel in the country devoted to arts and culture, charging viewers around £6 a month for access.