BSkyB is launch a new buy to keep service to its 10 million plus DTH base, but says it will send a DVD of every movie ordered by post.
Nicola Bamford, director, Sky Store said this was a brand extension that would allow customers to buy and keep items from the store. “Our future is very rosy for Sky Store rental. We want to build on that and go into the buy and keep market that is seven times bigger than rental in the UK.”
She explained that by bundling the physical media as part of the offer customers would be encouraged to try the digital process. “Time and time again the customers says they like the immediacy but having the original there for the peace of mind. We know there are millions of people still buying DVDs.”
The DVDs will be dispatched in around five working days.
Buy to Keep will launch with around 200 titles – Sky Store currently runs 1,400 – with deals secured through 20th Century Fox, NBC Universal and Warner Brothers. Library titles will be £7.99, new releases £13.99.
There are plans to introduce ‘Boxed Sets’ of TV shows.
Customers will be able to choose their selection and download to their internet-enabled Sky+ box. There are currently 4.5 million connected boxes, increasing at a rate of 10,000 a day.
Ian Lewis, director, Sky Movies explained that Sky customers represented 40% of the population, but 50% of physical purchases, so were more likely to purchase. “Our expectation is that we will be able to offer customers movies about four months after release, to buy. And get the digital copy in the post.:
Lewis said he wanted to take advantage of ever-decreasing windows from the film’s release to its availability on DVD, pay-TV and broadcast television. “Our ambition is that throughout its life cycle that film will be available in sky store whenever they want to watch it.”
Purchases can be archived, so the main part if the file is deleted, but the synopsis data, etc remains.
A new menu will be added to the recently-revamped Sky EPG in the next few weeks.
