Sky takes UKTV online
October 31, 2013
Sky and UKTV have extended their long-term partnership with a new multi-year agreement that will see UKTV’s network of pay-TV channels made available across Sky’s full range of TV products for the first time.
The new multi-platform agreement further expands UKTV’s footprint in the British broadcasting market, which currently sees the network reach over 42 million viewers a month. In addition to the continued availability of popular Pay exclusive channels Gold, Watch, Alibi, Dave HD, Good Food, Eden and Home, UKTV content will be available through catch-up, on demand, on the go, and, where available, in HD.
To give Sky customers ultimate control over how, where and when they enjoy UKTV channels, content will be available through Sky On Demand as well as the company’s mobile TV service, Sky Go. More than 3.4 million Sky homes have already connected their Sky box to broadband to enjoy the UK’s most comprehensive catch-up and on demand service, while 3.3 million Sky homes regularly use Sky Go. UKTV will also provide complete series as box sets – including shows such as Red Dwarf X, The Roux Scholarship 2013 and Primeval – to allow customers to watch entire series on their terms.
In addition, UKTV’s Gold, the popular British comedy channel that celebrates its 21st birthday this year, will join NOW TV, as one of a selection of high-quality partner channels to sit alongside Sky’s own network of channels.
UKTV recently committed to investing a record amount of £110 million on-screen this year, making innovative shows and buying bold and exclusive acquisitions. Upcoming highlights include an exciting new series of award-winning Dynamo: Magician Impossible, JJ Abrams’ new supernatural thriller Believe, a darkly comedic take on storytelling in Crackanory, and Tony Jordan’s new 10 part drama Legion.
UKTV’s free-to-air channels, including Dave, Drama, Really and Yesterday will continue to be available to Sky customers.
Rob Webster, Sky’s Commercial Group Director, said: “We are delighted to have extended our partnership with UKTV so that we can offer our customers even more great ways to enjoy some of their favourite shows. We’ll be adding UKTV’s content to our Catch Up, On Demand and Sky Go services, which is great news for customers. This takes our partnership with UKTV to the next level and demonstrates the extra value that we can create with our content partners.”