Sky is blurring the lines between online streaming service Now TV and the traditional Sky service. It’s launching Now TV combo, a contract-free triple play bundle, which combines TV, broadband and telephony. 
It launches in July with a new Now TV Smart Box, developed with existing technology partner Roku, in which Sky holds a small stake.
Prices range from £9.99 to £51.99 per month, plus line rental at £17.99 per month; broadband speeds come in at 17, 38 and 76 Mbps and the TV line up features 35 pay TV and over 60 free-to-air TV channels.
Paolo Pescatore, Director, Multiplay and Media at CCS Insight said the package represented great value for money: Other providers will struggle to compete with Sky given its clear segmentation of the market. Undoubtedly, Sky will add mobile to its newly created Now TV bundle which will generate further appeal across all demographics. This latest move puts pressure on rivals to step up and to bring truly converged multiplay bundles to the market. Sky is in a unique position to differentiate with its premium content rights in all genres.”
The broadband package naturally draws on Sky’s infrastructure, so customers are being advised to check if they are in a Now TV network area.
Strategy Analytics’ David Mercer, principal analyst, Digital Consumer Practice added: “By launching the UK’s first service package combining online pay TV, free TV, broadband and phone calls, Now TV not only targets Freeview but other triple play providers like TalkTalk and BT. The £9.99 entry level package will be of interest to free TV viewers tempted by the flexibility of switching in and out of pay TV, as well as those looking to get a low-cost broadband/TV bundle.”
Separately, the launch of Now TV in Italy has also been confirmed. The initial offer includes 500 movie titles; 8 movie channels (Sky Cinema); Series: Sky Atlantic, Fox, Fox Crime and Fox Life; 12 additional channels including Disney, Eurosport, Nat Geo and Sky TG24; and access to Serie A, Serie B and Europa League matches.
Prices for the Now TV box start at €39.99.
