Sky has left the door open to a possible carriage deal with Netflix, similar to that being introduced by Virgin allowing customers to the cablenet to login to their account through TiVo.
Commercial director Rob Webster told delegates at IBC 2013 in Amsterdam that the broadcaster would always prefer to retail channels on rival platforms, rather than wholesale them. “Our preference would be to have a direct relationship with the customer, because we think we’re better at it, he said. Asked if Sky would be prepared to offer a similar arrangement to Netflix, Webster responded “If it made commercial sense we would of course look at it”.
A recent report from Enders Analysis suggested Netflix would gain more subscribers if it were to be made available on the Sky and Virgin platforms. Webster pointed out the report had said Sky Movies subscribers were more likely to take out a Netflix sub as well because of their love of movies, emphasising Sky’s own considerable slate of first run movies.
