Broadband News
News, views and analysis
Sky launches broadband on-demand television
22 Oct 2010 | 08.44 Europe/London
In the same week that Ofcom announced it would not investigate YouView, Sky has announced the launch of its own broadband video on demand television service, Anytime+.
Sky has been one of the most vocal critics of the next generation of Freeview boxes, which are backed by the UK’s terrestrial broadcasters as well as BT, TalkTalk and Arqiva. When it launches in the first half of next year the YouView service will add on-demand programmes via broadband connections to the latest incarnation of Freeview digital television set top boxes.
Similarly Anytime+ will offer video on demand programming to Sky broadband subscribers who also have a Sky+HD box and monthly subscription. Pricing details have yet to be announced for the new service but Sky is promising it will feature more than 600 films and shows to choose from and that not all content will be charged. It is clearly designed as a satellite subscription television alternative to next generation of Freeview boxes.
The Anytime+ service will begin on Tuesday, 26th October. The announcement coincided with the announcement of Sky’s results for the three month ending September 30th, 2010.
The figures showed that triple subscriptions of satellite television, telephone and broadband were up to 2.3m, an increase of 39% year on year. This means roughly one in four of its near 10m overall subscribers have all three services, and with 2.8m broadband subscribers, 30% now have the broadband and satellite television combination required to access Anytime+.
Sky has announced many of its Sky+HD boxes can already receive the new service and that the remainder of boxes will be upgraded during the first half of next year when, coincidentally, YouView will be launching.
Sky has been one of the most vocal critics of the next generation of Freeview boxes, which are backed by the UK’s terrestrial broadcasters as well as BT, TalkTalk and Arqiva. When it launches in the first half of next year the YouView service will add on-demand programmes via broadband connections to the latest incarnation of Freeview digital television set top boxes.
Similarly Anytime+ will offer video on demand programming to Sky broadband subscribers who also have a Sky+HD box and monthly subscription. Pricing details have yet to be announced for the new service but Sky is promising it will feature more than 600 films and shows to choose from and that not all content will be charged. It is clearly designed as a satellite subscription television alternative to next generation of Freeview boxes.
The Anytime+ service will begin on Tuesday, 26th October. The announcement coincided with the announcement of Sky’s results for the three month ending September 30th, 2010.
The figures showed that triple subscriptions of satellite television, telephone and broadband were up to 2.3m, an increase of 39% year on year. This means roughly one in four of its near 10m overall subscribers have all three services, and with 2.8m broadband subscribers, 30% now have the broadband and satellite television combination required to access Anytime+.
Sky has announced many of its Sky+HD boxes can already receive the new service and that the remainder of boxes will be upgraded during the first half of next year when, coincidentally, YouView will be launching.