BSkyB is to launch a free multiscreen offer that will allow its ten million TV subscribers to watch Sky channels and programmes on PCs, laptops, mobiles and tablets.
Launching on July 6, the service will take the Sky Go brand already introduced by Sky Deutschland in the German market. It brings together the existing online TV service Sky Player with Sky Mobile TV, already the UK’s largest mobile TV service.
In the long term Sky Go will be able to take advantage of Sky’s purchase of Wi-Fi network The Cloud.
“The explosion of smartphones and tablets demonstrates the increasing consumer demand for accessing entertainment and communicating on the move,” said Stephen van Rooyen, deputy MD of Sky’s customer group. “Clearly the consumer appetite is there, and it’s growing. In responding to that, and to create even more value, choice and flexibility for our customers, we are now going to offer online and mobile access to Sky content at no extra charge. The future support of a nationwide Wi-Fi network will help us supercharge that experience further still.”
Each subscriber home will be able to register up to two devices that can be used to view live and on demand content. The line-up includes all five Sky Sports channels, ESPN, Sky News, Sky Movies, Sky News, Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Arts, MTV, Disney, GOLD, Nickelodeon, NatGeo, History, Eden and ESPN.
From August Sky Go will also be available to non-Sky TV customers, with monthly subscriptions priced from £15-£40. Sky will also remain available on Xbox and Fetch TV, but will rebrand simply as Sky.
Previously, Sky has charged up to £6 per month for its mobile TV services, while access to Sky Player has been attached in part to its £10 per month multiroom add-on. This suggests Sky is prepared to take a small hit on ARPU in order to lock in customers for the long term.
