LONDON, October 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
Millions of Sky homes can access
their favourite BBC shows, on-demand, directly on their
TV
BBC iPlayer, the BBC's video on demand service, has today
launched on Sky+, bringing the best of the BBC's TV programmes
directly to the living room. Up to 6.7 million homes with a Sky+HD
box and broadband connection will be able to enjoy the best of the
BBC on demand in a familiar, easy-to-use BBC iPlayer experience
that helps audiences catch up on programmes they have missed.
Audiences can access BBC iPlayer directly from Sky's on-demand
programme guide, and choose from many of the BBC's most popular
shows, including Doctor Who, Strictly Come Dancing and
EastEnders. BBC iPlayer is available alongside
catch-up TV from Sky, ITV, Channel 5, with Channel 4's 4oD due to
be added early next year, completing the line-up of free-to-air
terrestrial catch-up TV services on Sky+. Sky On Demand also offers
on demand access to shows from a number of other leading channels
including UKTV, MTV and Discovery, in addition to movies on demand
and drama 'box-sets' such as Boardwalk Empire, Mad
Men and Stella.
BBC iPlayer has been integrated into Sky's existing electronic
programme guide and on-demand menus. It contains a number of
features that make it even easier for Sky customers to find the BBC
programmes they want, with content separated into a series of
simple categories. Viewers are able to browse through content by
channel, day and genre, and can gain easy access to BBC shows in
high definition TV. Regional and signed programmes are also
available through dedicated categories. Once a customer has made
their choice, the programme is downloaded directly to their Sky+
planner for them to watch at a time that suits them.
This landmark deal between the BBC and Sky builds on a
substantial history of industry partnerships for BBC iPlayer, which
is now available on over 650 platforms and devices.
In September 2012 alone, BBC
iPlayer saw nearly 200 million requests for programmes, including
2.2 million for Doctor Who, 1 million for Citizen
Khan and hundreds of thousands for favourites such as
Strictly Come Dancing, EastEnders and Bad
Education. By launching on Sky+, BBC iPlayer is now available
on every major UK television platform, at no extra charge, and
brings the service to up to 6.7 million Sky homes.
Luke Bradley-Jones, Director
of TV Products, Sky said: "We're delighted to have partnered
with the BBC to bring the best of the BBC on demand to Sky
customers.Providing customers with the flexibility to enjoy their
favourite TV on demand, our comprehensive catch-up TV service
perfectly complements the genius of Sky+, which already
helps millions of our customers take charge of their viewing. We
continue to put Sky customers in control, with the addition of BBC
iPlayer to Sky+ sitting alongside a range of innovations
including remote record, series link and now even being able to use
your iPad as a remote control."
Daniel Danker, General
Manager, BBC Programmes and On-Demand, said: "BBC
iPlayer has had a record-breaking year, with 2 billion requests for
programmes in 2011, and nearly 200 million requests in September 2012 alone. Available on over 650
platforms and devices across PC, mobile, tablet
and Internet-connected TVs, we are delighted
that iPlayer is now also available to millions of Sky+
homes. 20% of all iPlayer use is already on the living room TV.
By partnering with Sky, BBC iPlayer is available on all major UK TV
platforms at no extra charge, making sure our audiences can access
the best of the BBC's content at home and on the go,
whenever and wherever they choose."
To enjoy Catch Up, Sky customers simply need to activate their
On Demand service and connect their Sky+HD box to their broadband
router.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Sky's Catch Up TV, which features the best TV broadcast over the
last seven days, is available to all Sky TV customers with a
compatible Sky+HD box. Catch Up TV is part of Sky's On Demand
service (formerly known as Anytime+) which also offers Sky
customers access to a TV library of series box sets, classic
programmes and hundreds of movies on demand (for customers
subscribing to Sky Movies 1 & 2).
SOURCE BSkyB