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Sky and BT agree to share their top TV channels
After years of "on and off" negotiations, BT and Sky have agreed to share their most popular TV channels. The deal means that Sky's Now TV streaming service will soon be available on BT's set-top box. BT will sell the various passes directly to consumers — so if you subscribe to both, you won't have to worry about separate bills anymore. On the flip-side, BT has agreed to give Sky "wholesale supply" of BT Sport. It will allow Sky to sell these channels standalone or as part of larger Sky TV packages. BT Sport will also be available on Sky Go and Now TV's Roku-in-disguise boxes.
BT to start charging TV subscribers for BT Sport
In the coming months, things are going to get a little more expensive for BT customers. The provider confirmed today that it will be raising the price of its broadband and landline services, while BT TV customers will be charged for access to BT Sport. For some customers, it will be the first time they need to pay for BT's sporting coverage, but others will see an increase in their subscription costs too.
BT's updated TV app has an on-demand section just for kids
Like the UK's other big TV providers, BT offers customers an app that lets them manage their YouView+ set-top box and access some of the content they pay for when they're away from the living-room flatscreen. The service formally known as BT TV Everywhere has been rebranded today, adopting the simpler name of "BT TV." And with that new title comes a few new features, namely a dedicated on-demand section for kids' shows from the likes of Disney, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network.
Sky told it doesn't have to give BT a discount on Sky Sports
BT Sport is no longer the David to Sky Sports' Goliath. When it launched in August 2013, the underdog TV service weighed heavily on less popular football leagues such as Serie A in Italy and Ligue 1 in France. But BT has slowly expanded, spending large amounts for the Champions League, the Europa League and a highly sought-after batch of Premier League fixtures. That's triggered Ofcom to re-evaluate what's known as a "wholesale must-offer" between Sky and BT. Its final decision, announced today, means that Sky is no longer forced to offer its flagship sports channels, Sky Sports 1 and 2, at a discount to BT.
Netflix is coming to BT TV YouView boxes
BT today announced its second quarter financial results, but it's not the facts and figures we're interested in, as thrilling as they may be. All but hidden among tables and text is the news that BT's hooked up with Netflix, and pretty soon, the video streaming service will be available on the YouView set-top boxes of BT TV customers. When exactly, we're not sure, though BT told us it'll have additional info to share "in the coming weeks." What's more, to minimize fuss, you'll be able to tag a Netflix subscription onto your normal BT bill. Rumor had it that TalkTalk, which also uses YouView boxes, was in discussions with Netflix, too, so we'd be extremely surprised if TalkTalk didn't make an identical announcement soon. Whether YouView boxes purchased from the company itself will get access to the streaming service is another matter entirely, as direct-to-provider billing might have been key to sealing the deal.
You can now add another YouView box to your BT TV subscription
You used to need special hardware to replicate the set-top box experience in another room. Now, complicated setups and IR repeaters are almost unnecessary when you can just add another box to your TV subscription. This has been available to Sky and Virgin Media customers for some time, and today BT is catching up by launching the imaginatively named "Extra Box" subscription. Assuming you're already signed up with BT TV, a £99 one-off payment and £5 per month will buy you another YouView+ box for a different room.
