Press release

Sky Player TV to give consumers even more choice and control over how they access Pay TV

Sky has launched Sky Player TV, a brand new online only subscription TV service offering live TV and video-on-demand. For the first time, consumers can now access pay TV content online without the need to subscribe to an existing TV-based service.



The new service builds on the success of Sky Player which launched in January 2006 as the first legal online movie download service. Sky Player has since grown to include thousands of hours of on-demand content from a range of Sky and third party channel brands. Spanning entertainment, movies, sport, news, arts and documentaries, the service continues to be made available as a bonus service to Sky’s DTH customers.



New Sky Player TV customers can choose from three online subscription packages to suit their needs. In addition to live channels, customers can also enjoy access to some on-demand programming from the channels they subscribe to.



The Entertainment Pack initially offers access to Disney Channel, British Eurosport, National Geographic Channel, Sky News, and Sky Sports News. Customers can add to their Entertainment Pack by subscribing to one or both of the Sky Sports Packs to access Sky Sports 1, 2, 3, and Sky Sports Xtra.



Later in December, MTV Networks UK & Ireland’s channels MTV ONE, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr will join the Entertainment Pack. Further channel launches, including additions from the rest of the Sky channel portfolio, will follow in the New Year.



Subscription packages for Sky Player TV range in price from £15 for the Entertainment Pack through to £34 for the addition of all of the Sky Sports family of channels. The service can be accessed through any broadband enabled PC or Mac.



All Sky TV customers will continue to have access to Sky Player’s on-demand content in line with the channels they are able to access through their core Sky TV subscription. Customers with a Sky Multiroom or a Sky Broadband Max subscription are additionally able to access live channels for no extra charge.



The launch today sees a number of other new enhancements to the service including Mac compatibility for live streaming and some on-demand content. Additionally, live TV channels will be available in a choice of quality levels to suit a customer’s broadband connection, the highest of which offers an equivalent viewing experience to standard definition on a TV-based service.



The new Sky Player TV service was developed with the support of Microsoft with its Silverlight and PlayReady technologies supporting the introduction of live streamed channels and support across PC and Mac.



Mike Darcey, Chief Operating Officer, BSkyB, comments: “We want to give customers as much choice as possible not just in what they watch, but in how they watch it. Sky Player TV recognises that for some, the computer screen is now the preferred screen through which to watch TV. In developing a standalone subscription to a secure online platform, we are responding to the diverse needs of today’s customers. We look forward to making the service more compelling with the addition of even more great pay TV entertainment in the New Year.”

For a breakdown of monthly subscription costs and channels click here



Customers can find out more and sign up for the service by visiting www.sky.com/skyplayer

For further information:



Toby Hemming BSkyB 0207 8058829

toby.hemming@bskyb.com 



Stephen Gaynor BSkyB 0207 7053446

stephen.gaynor@bskyb.com