BROADCASTER SKY has unveiled a new on demand TV service for Irish viewers.
The service, which requires a broadband connection, allows Sky subscribers to access thousands of hours of content available on their Sky service when they want, at no extra cost.
Sky is making content from up to 50 channels including Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, Discovery and Nat Geo Wild, available through the service. A library of box sets from the US and UK will also be available to viewers, along with movies.
Those who do not subscribe to Sky’s premium movie channels will be able to rent movies from an online store, while content from Sky Sports will also be available through the service according to a customers’ subscription.
“It’s a great example of the innovation that Sky tries to bring to enrich the viewing experience,” said Mark Anderson, Director of Sales Marketing at Sky Ireland.
Talks are underway to bring more Irish content to the service, as offered by catch-up players from broadcasters RTÉ and TV3.
On-demand content can also be accessed through the Sky Go application on an iPad, and an Android application is in development.
Sky also showed off an iPad application for its Sky+ service that allows viewers to use it to browse recordings and use it as a remote control.
The new on demand TV service comes only months after UPC unveiled its own on demand offering, which is delivered through set top boxes without the need for a broadband connection.
The economic difficulties may have caused some consumers to reconsider their spending, but Mr Anderson said Sky Ireland is still seeing growth. It may be at a slower rate than before the downturn began, but it’s still taking place, he said.
The broadcaster is trying to offer more value to customers as a result, including new channels. The penetration of premium channels remains strong, he said.
The impending switch-off of the analogue system may also be helping to lift Sky subscribers, he said, with a noticeable rise in calls to the broadcaster in recent months.
