A range of Channel 4’s linear channels and its on demand service 4oD are to be made available across Sky’s digital platforms. Although Sky has agreements in place with the other three public broadcasters for its Anytime on demand service, this is the first time a public service broadcaster has allowed its content to be made available on mobile and tablet devices through Sky Go.
Two new high definition channels, Film4 HD and More4HD, will join Sky’s high definition platform. Channel 4 HD and E4 HD were both launched on the Sky platform.
4oD will launch on Sky Anytime with several hundred hours of recent and classic Channel 4 shows, including complete series of some of its best-known programmes. Around 5 million viewers can currently access the service.
Channel 4, E4, More 4 and Film 4 will be added to Sky Go, Sky’s online and mobile TV service. Channel 4’s linear channels, together with a range of archive content from 4oD (excluding movies), will also be added to Sky Go.
Sky Go – which is available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, selected Android Smartphones, Xbox 360, PC and Mac – is currently used by more than 2.7 million Sky customers.
Two new High Definition channels, Film4 HD and More4HD, to join Sky+HD. Following on from the launch of Channel 4 HD and E4 HD, both of which first launched to UK viewers through the Sky platform, two further channels will become available to Sky’s 4.3 million high definition customers for the first time – Film4 HD and More 4 HD.
Rob Webster, director of Sky’s Commercial Group, commented: “Sky is committed to giving our customers total control and flexibility over how and when they access their favourite shows. We already offer the best of pay-TV on-demand and on-the-go, and now, with the addition of Channel 4, we’re adding the complete line-up of terrestrial shows too. No other service will offer greater choice or convenience.
As part of the new agreement, Channel 4 will also receive viewing insight from Sky. Through Sky IQ, Sky’s customer intelligence division, the broadcaster will receive insight and analysis on viewing of Channel 4’s content on TV, online and on mobile. This includes aggregated and anonymous demographic information in addition to viewing figures to help Channel 4 further understand its audiences, supporting its Viewer Engagement strategy.
Sarah Rose, Channel 4’s Director of Commercial & Business Development, said: “Alongside the wealth of services launching on Sky’s platforms, the data partnership with Sky will help us to understand how our audiences are enjoying our content across these platforms, bolstering our Viewer Engagement strategy which sees viewer data at the heart of Channel 4’s innovative programme and commercial strategies.”
Sky has also extended its relationship with Channel 4 for the carriage of Channel 4, E4 and More4 in the Republic of Ireland, where these channels form part of Sky’s subscription service.
Catch-up content joins Sky’s TV on-demand service from October. Channel 4 content will be added in the New Year.
