Sky has significantly strengthened its video on demand proposition following deals to offer both BBC iPlayer and ITV Player to its satellite television subscriber base.
ITV Player should be available from today on the Sky Anytime+ service.
The new services will appear as an extension to the Sky Anytime+ service which was launched in 2011, and utilises an internet broadband connection in order to provide content to users.
ITV Player will be the first service to launch today, and various popular ITV programs will be available on the Sky Anytime+ menu along with a dedicated ITV Player section allowing users to access IPTV content from ITV Player.
BBC iPlayer will launch later in the year on Sky Anytime+ and will allow viewers to catch up on content such as Top Gear, and Sherlock via the iPlayer service.
The move to incorporate BBC iPlayer into the Sky Anytime+ service follows extensive negotiations with the BBC as the two organisations could not agree a process of syndication of on-demand content.
BBC’s syndication policy meant that BBC could only offer content via its iPlayer platform, and Sky was reluctant to make BBC content available through Sky Anytime+ whilst bypassing BBC iPlayer.
Sky has since agreed to launch the standalone iPlayer service, and the new arrangement means that the BBC will control its appearance on the satellite provider’s service.
Chief Executive of Sky, Jeremy Darroch said “Sky Anytime+ will go from strength to strength in 2012 and we are delighted that the addition of the BBC iPlayer and ITV Player will allow customers to also enjoy the best of terrestrial TV, whenever they want. We’re also delighted to be able to widen access to the service so that millions more Sky customers can enjoy the added flexibility it offers.”
Whilst director general of the BBC Mark Thompson said “Having the BBC and Sky work together to further build on the BBC iPlayer success story can only be fantastic news for audiences.
“Making BBC iPlayer available on all platforms is key to our commitment to universal access and this agreement takes us one step further towards that goal. I’m delighted to take this first step on a story of innovation for both organisations.”
Compare the best packages from Sky, BT and Virgin Media which have BBC iPlayer using our comparison service at Digital TV Selector, or call our team of experts on 0800 840 4942 today!
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