LG inks Sky deal for exclusive Now TV streaming access on smart TVs
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.
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"NOW TV" TO LAUNCH ON LG's SMART TV PLATFORM
"LG and NOW TV Partner to bring NOW TV to Smart TV, exclusively with LG"
LG is the first and only TV manufacturer to offer Sky's new internet TV service "NOW TV"- allowing customers to enjoy instant live and on demand access to Sky Sports and Sky Movies with no contract
UK, 25th July 2013 – LG Electronics (LG) today announced that it is introducing NOW TV, the internet TV service powered by Sky, to its Smart TV platform. LG will be the only Smart TV provider to offer access to NOW TV for a minimum of 12 months.
The new partnership means that LG becomes the first TV manufacturer to offer access to NOW TV to its customers, letting them instantly enjoy Sky Sports and Sky Movies without a contract. The service will be available from August 2013 and marks another first for the LG brand's industry-leading Smart TV offering.
Owners of LG's 2012/2013 range of TVs and 2013 Blu-ray players and Home Cinema Systems will be able to enjoy the full benefits of the NOW TV offering including pay-as-you-go access to Sky Sports and monthly access to Sky Movies. The service includes a customised NOW TV card that will sit on the Smart User Interface and will curate content according to major upcoming releases and events.
For only £9.99 consumers can make sure they've got access to the biggest live sporting events with a 24-hour pass to all six Sky Sports channels. This summer marks an exciting time for sports fans, with highlights on Sky Sports in the next month alone including the climax of the Investec Ashes Test series, the return of the Barclay's Premier League and Sky Bet Football League, the Formula 1® Belgium Grand Prix™, the start of Andy Murray's defence of the US Open title, plus much more.
Film fans can enjoy a 30 day free trial of the Sky Movies Pass enabling them access to a library of hundreds of blockbusters from across Sky's movie channels. Currently on offer for £8.99 a month for the first 3 months, Sky Movies on NOW TV offers access to more of the latest and biggest releases. This includes the likes of "Skyfall", "Argo" and "The Dark Night Rises" over the next month, and up to four new premieres every single week. These films are exclusive to Sky and will not be on any other subscription service for at least a year.
Craig West, Head of Marketing, LG Consumer Electronics UK, comments: "2013 has been a fantastic year for LG and we were recently named Best Audio Visual Brand by Which? for our impressive line-up of TVs and AV products that represent reliability and quality for consumers. The LG / NOW TV joint multi-million pound investment to develop, launch and market the service demonstrates LG's continued commitment to bringing the best in home entertainment and is proud to be the first and only TV brand to offer consumers the benefits of the NOW TV service"
This marks a significant step for consumer choice, offering them contract-free Sky content, when they want it and for as long as they want it, and now available to directly stream on an LG Smart TV".
Gidon Katz, Director of NOW TV, comments: "We're constantly working to offer NOW TV on new platforms to meet the ever-increasing appetite for access to great content across a range of internet-connected devices. As a result, we're delighted to be partnering today with LG to give our customers another way to enjoy great blockbuster movies and the best live sport -including exclusive action from the Barclay's Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Ashes Test cricket, US Open tennis, the 2013 Formula 1® season - all on their main TVs."
NOW TV is the latest addition to LG's already impressive line-up of Smart TV services–and will further enhance the LG Smart TV viewing experience presenting further choice for existing and future customers. All apps are easily navigated thanks to LG's unique Magic Remote Control which uses point, motion, wheel and voice gesture to control the user interface for a seamless and intuitive user experience.
For more information on LG's Smart TV platform please visit http://www.lg.com/uk/smartTV
