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BBC iPlayer and Sky streaming apps go dark on iOS (update: both fixed)
If you've experienced problems trying to access BBC iPlayer or Sky's streaming apps on your iPhone or iPad today, you're not alone. In what appears to be a connected issue, both companies have confirmed that users are currently unable to access their streaming services on an Apple device. Right now, Android phones and tablets remain unaffected, while Netflix continues to enjoy trouble-free playback. The BBC reports that some users have been able to circumvent Now TV errors by setting their iOS clock back by 24 hours, suggesting that the issues are date related. However, the workaround may stop other apps from operating normally. Both the BBC and Sky say they're working hard to restore access to their services, but are unable to say exactly when they expect to be able to do so. Update: The BBC says things are back up and running for iPlayer on iOS, however we haven't received an update from Sky yet. Update deux: Not that Sky's support page is any help right now, but at least it's providing timestamped updates as to the state of its services on iThings. They're still down, if you hadn't guessed. Update 4/18: Sky Go is finally back up and running as well, although iOS users will need an app update (download here) to get things going again.
Now TV app brings Sky Sports to Apple TV in the UK
UK Apple TV owners can now access live sport following the launch of a Sky Sports app from Now TV. Already available on smartphones, tablets, consoles and its own set-top box, Now TV's Sky Sports Day Pass lets owners of Apple's set-top box access 24 hours of coverage from Sky's six sports channels for £9.99. Although Netflix and Apple's own iTunes Movies channels are live on Apple TV, Sky has not yet brought its own film and entertainment offerings to the platform. We've contacted Sky for comment on its future plans and will update you in due course.
Sky opens its movie rental store to everyone in the UK
After dedicating a lot of focus to its streaming subscription services, Sky is finally showing some love for those who like to rent movies. Originally only available to its TV customers, the broadcasting giant has opened the Sky Store to all in the UK, allowing anyone with a browser, Now TV, Roku or YouView box to rent any of its 1,200 movies. While Now TV attempts to conquer the UK streaming market, Sky's Store expansion will provide a firm footing for it to take on Apple's iTunes and Google's Play Store in the fight over à la carte movie downloads. For latest releases, the Sky Store charges £3.49 (around $6) per rental, with older movies available for between 99p and £1.99. You will, of course, still be able to access the Sky Store via your Sky+ box, but if you've decided to cut the cord, today's announcement may help if you've watched everything in your Netflix or Lovefilm queue.
Now TV gives you Sky's crown jewels for £4.99 a month
In the UK, Sky has three big assets: sports, movies and a raft of premium dramas imported over from the US. If you're a Now TV user, however, then you could only get your grubby mitts on the first two of that trio. That's all about to change, as Sky is now offering a broadcast TV package that'll bolt on to the service for just £4.99 a month. The Now TV Entertainment Month Pass is a contract-free way to watch Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Sky Arts 1, Discovery Channel, MTV, GOLD, Disney and Fox. In addition to watching the channels live, you'll also be able to access the box-set catalog of older on-demand shows as with full-blown Sky customers. The only downside is that you'll have to sign up before 21st March 2014 -- as that £4.99 per month deal is just an introductory offer.
Sky's Now TV box hits UK retailers with bundled streaming passes
Sky's super-cheap Now TV streamer is losing its online exclusivity and is heading to the UK High Street. From today, the set-top box is available at Argos, Curry's and PC World, with John Lewis set to follow in the coming weeks. Sky is also expanding how customers enjoy its content with new bundled content passes, offering extended access to movies or sports right out of the box. In that respect, £15 nets you a Now TV box with a 24-hour Sky Sports Day Pass or you can opt for a bundled 3 month Sky Movies Pass for £25 -- a saving of between £5 and £10. The expansion helps Sky grab a retail presence and lure customers away from rival services like Netflix and Lovefilm, which can't lean on a multi-million investment in Roku to push their own-branded set-top box.
Sky's Now TV box isn't a Roku replacement, but it's still a great deal
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.
Sky and NBC Universal extend content deal with exclusive movie rental window
Sky's war against its VOD rivals could be won before a single shot is fired in anger, thanks to the company's practice of signing exclusive contracts with major Hollywood players. Today, it's extended its contract with NBC Universal, giving Sky exclusive distribution rights to the studio's movies and access to Universal Network's TV offerings such as E!, Movies24, SyFy and Universal UK. When new films like Snow White and the Huntsmen, Les Misérables and The Bourne Legacy leave cinemas, Sky Movies (and Now TV) customers will have an exclusive rental window before they're available to everyone else, as well as full access to a back-catalog that contains childhood favorites like Jurassic Park and Back to the Future. As we've mentioned before, such deals are great news if you're a Sky customer, and not if you're not.
Sky's Now TV service hits Xbox, beckons you forth with 30 day free trial
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.
Sky adds Bond Channel to its movie offering, will screen entire back catalog in high-definition
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.
Roku picks up financing from BSkyB, News Corp and more, keeps eye on the premium streaming crown
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.
Now TV launches in the UK, brings pay-as-you-go streaming to Mac, PC and Android
Sky is going online and ditching the contracts... sort of. The UK TV provider is launching a new service called Now TV that will take on more established properties like Lovefilm and Netflix. The streaming video service will initially be available on OS X, Windows and Android with iOS to follow shortly. By the end of the year it will also be available on Xbox, PS3, Roku and Youview. Initially Sky Movies will form the backbone of the service, with titles costing anywhere from £0.99 to £3.49 for playback, or you can purchase unlimited monthly access for £15. Eventually Now TV will expand to include Sky Sports, Sky 1 and plenty of other BSkyB owned properties. For more, check out the PR after the break.
Sky dubs upcoming internet TV service 'Now TV', chases those currently without pay-TV
After recently announcing plans to launch a new over-the-top internet based TV service in the UK Sky CEO Jeremy Darroch has revealed its name, Now TV, and what it will bring to customers. Speaking at the Media Guardian Changing Media Summit in London, Darroch indicated Now TV would operate as its own brand, targeting the 13 million UK homes that don't pay for TV from any provider. It will start offering instant access to movies this summer followed by sports and other entertainment soon after, with access by monthly subscription or PPV across a variety of devices. It will be different from the existing Sky TV service, and all of its online tie-ins like Sky Go by focusing on flexibility and "spontaneous access" Constantly complaining about a lack of access to programming like, say, Game of Thrones without a traditional pay-TV package? It sounds like this should be right up your alley, so while details like exact pricing are still TBA, feel free to hit the source links below for all of the info currently available including a transcript of his speech, or head to the Now TV website directly to sign up for updates.
Hong Kong's now TV offering Disney / ABC shows on HD VOD
Last time we checked in with a la carte IPTV provider now TV, the Hong Kong service had just hit a half million subscribers -- three years later its adding content from Disney - ABC to the high definition video on-demand offerings. Lost, Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, Kyle XY episodes and more are available at the press of a button for a $7.70 / month (U.S.) subscription fee. The only question now is when one of the big providers Stateside will let us build our own channel lineup.
