Irish TV series could be available on Sky’s new On Demand service as early as next year, according to Sky Ireland.
As the digital TV provider launched its new On Demand service in Ireland, which is a rebranding of the Sky Anytime function, Sky chiefs revealed they have already contacted both RTÉ and TV3 about making the broadcasters’ content available to Sky customers.
A Sky source revealed RTÉ and TV3 are close to signing, but both broadcasters are keen to ensure the deals will be commercially beneficial to them both. Both RTÉ and TV3 could not comment on any talks.
Sky launched its new On Demand service in Dublin yesterday, which allows Sky subscribers watch films, TV series and sports shows at any time of their choosing, and before any other TV provider broadcasts them.
The new service provides a showcase section, which existing Sky customers will recognise as the former Anytime function. This allows customers to view a selection of films and series at anytime, regardless of when they were scheduled to air that week.
A new TV library has also been added, which gives viewers access to the latest films and TV series, some before the DVD’s have even hit the market. Classic films are also available from the TV library.
A movies section allows viewers to see over 500 films On Demand, and the Sky Store has over 1,000 films available to rent, with prices starting from €1.49.
Other than the rental service, Sky has incurred no extra cost for the new features. A broadband connection however is needed to avail of the service. The remote control navigation allows users to check how many internet gigabytes a film or TV series will take up.
Speaking at yesterday’s launch, Kathryn Lacey, head of Sky+ and On Demand, BskyB, said the majority of films and series currently available are from Britain and the US. The Sky team revealed they are keen to include more Irish series; the most notable one which will be made available soon is Sky One’s ‘Moone Boy’; and plan on doing so by using the content RTÉ and TV3 currently upload onto their online Players.
Currently some of the most popular Irish-made shows on RTÉ’s Player are ‘Hardy Bucks’, ‘The Late Late Show’ and ‘Room to Improve’, while TV3’s most popular Irish-made shows on its 3 Player include the Traveller Season programmes, ‘Xposé’ and ‘Tonight with Vincent Browne’.
Commenting on yesterday’s launch, Mark Anderson, director of sales & marketing at Sky Ireland, said the new service gave Sky customers more control over their television consumption: “The introduction of On Demand gives our customers access to a huge amount of additional content and puts them firmly in control of what they want to watch, when they want it, at no extra monthly cost.”
Currently available on Sky’s new On Demand service is season five of AMC show ‘Mad Men’, the James Bond back catalogue, ‘Modern Family’ season four opener, Sky One’s ‘Stella’, plus more. As reported on IFTN today, Sky will also make all eight Harry Potter films available on its On Demand service over the Christmas period.
