Advanced Television

Darroch: Sky beyond the TV set

March 3, 2011

By Colin Mann

BSkyB intends to connect with its viewers in ways other than via the TV, according to CEO Jeremy Darroch. He told delegates at the FT Digital Media and Broadcasting Conference in London that advances in technology were creating new possibilities in the content the broadcaster could offer, with Sky’s future success being based on content production and technical innovation.

“We want to connect with customers way beyond the TV set,” he said, pointing out that Sky was already the UK leader in providing content to mobile devices. The launch later in 2011 of Sky Anywhere would further enhance the ability to consume content on a range of devices.

A forthcoming Sky News iPad app that would allow live interaction was described as “a third platform alongside TV and online,” with Darroch adding that Sky was a consumer business, and led by the needs of consumers. “We’ll continue to invest in content and innovation,” he said.

With confirmation that News Corp’s bid for the remaining shares in BSkyB had been cleared less than 90 minutes before his speech, Darroch was unwilling to comment in detail on implications for the business and his role, but conceded that the proposed remedy gave Sky News long-term continuity. Let’s get through the remainder of the regulatory process,” he said.

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