A smart TV box for a tenner is a nice thing, but one that streams Homeland on demand is arguably even nicer. As of today, owners of a Sky Now TV media player should see 4oD among their list of free channels, alongside the existing options like BBC iPlayer and Demand 5. Meanwhile, Channel Four’s catch-up service has also landed on Roku boxes this week, which makes sense considering that Sky has a sizable investment in that little hardware platform, too.
Filed under: HD
Source: Sky
It’s fair to say, no one was expecting Sky to release a dedicated streaming box for its Now TV service the same week Google entered the same market. But, it did, and with relative panache, too. Why? Well the hardware it’s using is based on Roku’s popular LT player, and it’s only charging £9.99 for it. That, in itself is a pretty good deal. There are, of course, some caveats. Most notably a custom version of the UI that denies access to certain channels — high profile ones at that. And, of course, it heavily pushes Sky’s own premium channels. Still, for such a low price, with no subscription to Sky’s own services actually needed, could this be the ultimate budget TV box for UK viewers? We compare it to the pure Roku experience to find out.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
BSkyB started investing in Roku last year and it’s leveraged that involvement to develop this new Now TV set-top box. Going on sale today for just £9.99 (including shipping), it brings a rebranded Roku 2 XD (no gaming remote) with software built for Sky’s IPTV platform and a curated list of additional channels. Notably missing from the list are Netflix, Lovefilm, ITV Player, and 4oD, however Now TV (of course), iPlayer, Demand Five, Spotify, Facebook and several Sky channels are included. It gives up a bit in flexibility compared to the standard player, but the ultra-low entry price certainly makes for a compelling option. Roku is facing more competition than ever with new game consoles, Google’s Chromecast and even Apple’s TV ambitions, we’ll see if partnering with traditional providers makes it the “operating system for TVs” CEO Anthony Wood wants it to be.
For Sky, this is just part of a multi-pronged plan to move its TV offerings into the future, detailed in today’s earnings report. Starting in September it will offer a WiFi equipped Sky+HD box to customers as the standard, and low cost wireless adapters to those with older hardware that isn’t already connected. It’s also enhancing Sky Go, with plans to add 10 new channels in the next year while marketing Sky Go Extra more. Finally, it’s adding more content to the Catch Up TV and Sky Store VOD bundle — check the PDF linked below for more details.
Gallery: Now TV box
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Source: Now TV, Sky FY 2013 earnings (PDF)
When LG invited us to an event in (thankfully) sunny London, we thought we’d be hearing about 4K, curved OLED and huge price tags. It wasn’t about hardware at all, in fact, as LG announced it has partnered with Sky to add the Now TV movie and sport streaming service to its smart TV line-up. Starting in August, Now TV content will be exclusive to LG sets for “a minimum of 12 months.” Those purchasing new home entertainment kit will get three months of free access to Now TV’s movie catalogue, as well as three free 24-hour sports passes. If you’re in possession of an LG smart TV from this year or last, or a 2013 era Blu-ray player or home cinema system, you may miss the introductory offer but will still be able to download the Now TV app. The only kicker is that Now TV doesn’t currently broadcast HD content, so don’t expect those movies to pop on your 84-inch 4K monster.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD, LG
Sure, the PlayStation 3 is going to be making way for the new generation soon, but something tells us folks won’t complain about having access to more entertainment on Sony’s aging console. To wit, Now TV’s just announced that its video services have reached yet another audience, allowing those in the United Kingdom to watch Sky Movies and Sky Sports via the PS3. While subscribers can currently stream a good amount of live sporting events and some relatively new movies, Now TV has promised that additional content from Sky is “due to be added this year” — such as programs from Sky 1, Sky Arts, Sky Living and US shows.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Sony
Source: Now TV
In Sky’s latest bid (after getting Sony and Warner on the hook) to corner premium viewing content in the UK before rivals including Lovefilm and Netflix get traction, it has announced an extension to its 24-year agreement with Disney. Beyond guaranteeing Disney — which means Lucasfilm, of course — Pixar and Marvel flicks will be on Sky (plus Sky Go, and 3D movies on Sky 3D) a year before any other service, it’s also creating a new Sky Movies Disney Channel in its lineup that launches March 28th. In order to reach those not with the typical TV package, the deal also brings Disney’s movies to Sky’s Now TV internet video service for users with a monthly movie pass. We’re sure 24 years ago, such deals didn’t cover so many devices or avenues of access but snagging exclusives to gain a market advantage has stayed exactly the same.
Filed under: HD
Source: Sky
Sky’s Now TV service is continuing its uphill battle against the armies of Netflix and Lovefilm today, setting up camp in Roku’s streaming boxes. Matching its Xbox 360 launch offer, you’ll be able to try the service for 30 days without charge, but it’s added another enticing deal for the Roku launch — pay a reduced price of £8.99 for the first three months before the regular £15 per month fee kicks in. As well as boasting its exclusive Harry Potter catalogue suitable for a holiday marathon, we’ve been told Sky Sports will finally be coming to Now TV “in a few months.” Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Arts and Sky Living will also eventually be added to the service, but there’s still not even a loose date for those. Now TV might not reach all the hardware it intended to before the end of the year, but at least with this latest launch, Roku can start showing Sky it was worth all that cash.
Continue reading Sky’s Now TV service comes to Roku streaming boxes in the UK
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Software, HD
After launching it on the PC, Mac, Android and iOS, Sky’s adding another big platform to its Now TV service: Xbox. Gamers in the UK can now stream content at 720i, including the service’s 11 movie channels. Those with a Kinect lying around can also use the peripheral to navigate around the offering. Interested parties can take advantage of a 30-day trial for free, after which they’ll have to plunk down £15 a month for access to Sky Movies Pass titles from studios like Disney, Fox, Paramount, Sony, Warner Bros. and Universal. The service has promised more content in coming months, including the launch of Sky Sports. For more info on the offering, check out the press release after the break.
Continue reading Sky’s Now TV service hits Xbox, beckons you forth with 30 day free trial
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment
Sky’s Now TV service hits Xbox, beckons you forth with 30 day free trial originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 10:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Fresh from his appearance at this year’s Olympic opening ceremony, James Bond is getting his own dedicated channel on Sky. The UK broadcaster will start showing all 22 movies in high-definition from October 5th, gearing up to the British spy’s latest adventure, Skyfall, which launches a month later. Android, iOS and PC platforms will be able to stream the collection through Sky Go, while its new on-demand service will also be showing the full gamut of Bond adventures in a few months. For England, James.
Filed under: Home Entertainment
Sky adds Bond Channel to its movie offering, will screen entire back catalog in high-definition originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 06:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
The little media streamer company that could, Roku, has gained some powerful friends in its latest round of financing, with $45 million in funds coming from the likes of BSkyB, News Corp and another partner who would prefer to remain nameless at this time, as well as previous investors Menlo Ventures and Globespan Capital Partners. While we leave you to ponder which company might be that unidentified source, Roku is simply continuing on, earmarking the money for use in building brand awareness, expanding internationally and much, much more. Also, that MHL-connected Roku Streaming Stick introduced at CES? It hasn’t gone away and is still on track for launch later this year, with an eye towards providing a “Roku Inside” bundled experience for otherwise dumb flat-panel HDTVs.
Roku’s alignment with BSkyB (which reported a $10m stake in its earnings this morning, as well as the option to distribute its own branded Roku hardware) makes sense after the pay-TV giant launched Now TV recently with the hockey puck as one of its supported platforms, while CEO Anthony Wood tells us the fruitful partnership with News Corp had its root in the Fox News, Wall Street Journal Live and X-Factor channels it launched last year. Wood cites plans to make Roku “the TV distribution platform of the future”, and this fifth round of financing — larger than all previous rounds combined — may help push it in this direction, check out a few more details in the press release after the break.
Filed under: Home Entertainment
Roku picks up financing from BSkyB, News Corp and more, keeps eye on the premium streaming crown originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 02:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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