Sky and Microsoft have confirmed plans to carry the Sky Player online TV service through the Xbox game console.
The over-the-top initative will make available live pay-TV channels, on demand content and interactive sport to Xbox owners. It is already possible to access the Sky Player through a PC or Mac.
Sky says the partnership supports its broader strategy of using a range of distribution platforms to reach new audiences. For its part, Microsoft is looking to offer consumers more choice in their entertainment experiences. New Sky customers will be able to access a number of subscription packages through the Xbox.
“Our innovative partnership with Xbox puts more choice and control in the hands of customers,” said Stephen Nuttall, director of Sky’s Commercial Group. “Now Xbox owners can enjoy a wide range of TV through their console and can pick and choose the packages that are right for them. For Sky, this makes our content even more widely available and opens up a new commercial opportunity.”
Sky Player TV launched in December 2008 as a dedicated online subscription service, on the back of the Sky Player, which had launched in 2006 as a bonus for Sky’s DTH customer base.
Available channels include Sky Sports, Sky Movies, Sky News, The History Channel, National Geographic, GOLD, Eden, MTV ONE, Sky1, Disney Channel and Nickelodeon.
