Sky’s online streaming service Now TV is to launch what it’s describing as its most advanced box.
The new unit, available from next month, will feature a new User Interface. This will feature a new Best of Catch Up section and other editorial recommendations.
Gidon Katz, Director of Now TV said: “The launch of our new homepage on the Now TV Box will make it easier than ever for our customers to quickly find and watch their favourite shows. And when the new Now TV Smart Box arrives later this year, it will be the perfect one-stop box to get a contract-free, flexible way of watching the best of pay TV and free-to-air content all in one place.”
The box was developed in association with Roku, in which Sky holds a minority stake. It’s the first of a new range of Roku boxes that enable operators to offer linear and streaming services through a single device to consumers.
The new Roku Powered hybrid set-top box will enable operators to offer linear and streaming services through a single device to consumers. Sky will be the first Roku Powered operator to deploy the new hybrid set-top box later this year as part of its popular NOW TV service in the UK.
“With the new Roku Powered hybrid set top box we are enabling operators to bridge the gap between linear broadcast and streaming TV services,” said Andrew Ferrone, vice president pay TV at Roku. “Many consumers have a hybrid viewing pattern and leverage both traditional broadcast and on demand or catch-up services.”
Pricing will be announced later.