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Sky Go gets a brand new look
Today Sky unwrapped its "biggest-ever redesign" of Sky Go, a companion service which lets TV customers watch movies and shows on hardware besides their main set-top box. With that sort of claim you would expect a radical new look, but in all honesty it's, well, rather dull and uninspired. Sky says it's the foundation for "new features" though which will make it easier to find whatever channel, box-set or film you're in the mood for. The redesigned website is already live and a new home page will be available on the Android app later today, preceding an iOS update in February. It's an improvement on the old version, but that's really not saying much. Still, a step forward is a step forward, even if it's only a small one.
Sky Go finally comes to Amazon Fire tablets
For more than three years, Brits have been able to enjoy the Sky Go app on their Android device. Sky's been quite clear that as long as you own a smartphone or tablet running Android 4.0 (and you have an active Sky subscription), you can get involved -- as long as you aren't trying to download it on an Amazon device. Sky's aversion to the world's biggest online retailer has persisted, but as it gets ready to unleash Sky Q on the world, the company has finally relented and decided now is the time to slot in the missing piece of the Android puzzle.
Sky Go adds the Channel 5 family and ITVBe to its streaming roster
If there's one slight criticism to be made of the free Sky Go service -- which lets Sky subscribers stream live TV and on demand content to computers and mobile devices -- it's that you can't access the full selection of channels found on your set-top box at home. The same can be said of Virgin's equivalent TV Anywhere service, and bit by bit, both providers are strengthening these offerings with additional channels. Today, it's Sky's turn to announce a handful you can now stream through Sky Go for the first time, including Channel 5, which is home to the new Batman-inspired Gotham series, and its sister channels 5* and 5USA. British Eurosport 2 is also now available on Sky Go, alongside the freshly launched channel ITVBe -- also known as the place braincells go to die.
Sky Go streaming no longer free on consoles from July 29th
Sky has begun to inform Xbox 360 owners who watch TV on their console via the Sky Go app that come the end of July, they'll need to start paying for the privilege. Sky Go is free to anyone with a subscription to the satellite TV service, and allows you to use your smartphone, tablet, computer or console (for the next month, anyway) to watch TV when you're out of set-top box range. Sky Go Extra is a paid version that also lets you download content for offline viewing, as well as upping the number of devices you can use to four instead of two. It's this Extra tier that Xbox 360 users will need to pony up £5 per month for (after an introductory price of half that) if they wish to continue using Sky Go on their console after July 29th. This only affects the 360 currently, and ironically it comes just after Microsoft cut the requirement for a paid Xbox Live Gold account to use video streaming apps. With Sky Go coming to the PS3 and PS4 later this summer, however, it feels very much like Sky is making a calculated move to turn a free service into a paid one just before a bunch more people get access. Update: Sky has confirmed this applies to all consoles, so when the PS3/PS4 apps launch, they will also require a Sky Go Extra subscription. Company quote after the break.
ITV channels come to Sky Go in time for the World Cup
It's hard to sniff at Sky Go, the service that lets you watch live TV on computers and mobile devices when out of set-top box range. Free to Sky subscribers, its main weakness is a limited channel selection, which is slowly but surely being addressed through new agreements. Today, one such deal adds all of ITV's channels to Sky Go, just shy of a year after Virgin Media brought the same selection to its equivalent TV Anywhere service. The new Sky-exclusive channel ITV Encore will also serve up both live TV and on-demand content through Go when it launches in early June. E!, Home and Lifetime are also set to be added to the service over the summer. Considering ITV will be broadcasting 34 World Cup games, the new channels have landed on Sky Go at an opportune time. If you don't have Sky, though, remember you can still catch all that footy while out and about on ITV Player.
Sky Go and Now TV both coming to British PS4s this summer
Quietly mentioned inside Sky's financial report for this quarter, the broadcaster has revealed that two of its streaming services will arrive on the PlayStation 4 in just a few months. Details are scant (it just says what we've written above), but both Sky Go (for existing Sky subscribers) and the more free-and-loose Now TV will both debut on the Sony console. They'll have a fight on their hands: they'll be up against the likes of Netflix and Amazon Instant Video. Sky also announced that it's renewed its movie deal with Paramount, giving it exclusive broadcast rights to the likes of Anchorman 2 and Noah. So, not even a mention of the Xbox One -- but at least that console's doing its own thing. Update: Sky has issued a fuller press release which also mentions that Sky Go will find its way to PS3 owners (who've so far only had access to Now TV on their consoles).
Sky's Now TV box is a £9.99 Roku clone that streams iPlayer and more
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-194728%
Sky adding more on demand content, revamping Go apps for summer
Lounging around in the sun is great and all, but what to do on a rainy day? One option is to get some TV time in, and Sky's got a few updates to share that might tempt you in front of a screen on dreary afternoons. At some point this summer, shows from Fox, Universal and SyFy will be available on Sky's On Demand service, as well as content from Disney if you're signed up for the Entertainment Extra package. Mobile apps will be getting a makeover, with "enhanced navigation" and a new design including bigger thumbnails when cruising through the VOD library. The Sky Go Xbox 360 app will also be updated to bring it in line with Microsoft's UI style. Furthermore, Sky Multiroom subscribers will get access to Sky Go Extra, which allows you to download content in addition to streaming, at no extra cost in early July. Vitamin D's overrated anyways.
Sky opts for Hannibal on-demand and Go debut ahead of May 7th TV premiere
Sky customers with On Demand or Sky Go access can snag an early look at the very first episode of Hannibal, along with Trollied, Mad Dogs and The Borgias. That first hit is due for a May 7th premiere on Sky Living at 10PM in the UK, but in what's being billed as a television experiment of sorts, the show's available now through On Demand with select Sky+ set-top boxes, or the Sky Go streaming service, if you're able to access that. We can imagine plenty of other ways to get your fix without waiting for next Tuesday to roll around, but we'll let you use your own imagination to tackle that one.
Sky Go for Android now streams to the HTC One, Galaxy S 4 and Xperia Z
Brits accustomed to catching up on their shows with Sky Go likely don't want that seamless viewing experience broken just because they bought that latest 1080p-capable Android flagship. Thankfully, they won't have to. An update to the Android app now supports the HTC One, Xperia Z and the upcoming Galaxy S 4: while none of them will stream in 1080p, the software will at last do more than take up space. Those on the "merely" 720p-native RAZR HD can also tune in with the upgrade. Swing by Google Play for the update if you're a Sky subscriber with a shiny new device.
Sky Movies lands deal with Entertainment Film Distributors to stream top movies
The core of any good movie service is... good movies. We're glad to hear, then, that Sky Movies has struck a years-long deal with UK outlet Entertainment Film Distributors to stream a large number of recent and back-catalog titles. The pact gives Sky access to Silver Linings Playbook and a slew of other notable movies during the initial pay-per-view and pay TV windows, which usually start six months after the releases leave theaters and last for over a year. The agreement isn't so hot for those on rival services when Sky has an exclusive on subscription access, but its viewing is at least independent of both the platform and business model: customers can see the newly added flicks through a Now TV pass on their phones or rent them through the Sky Movies Box Office, for example. Older included titles like Gangs of New York are already available; if you've been waiting for Sky to get a healthier video selection before signing up, now's as good a time as any to take a closer look.
Sky cuts a deal with Disney for exclusive access, launches Sky Movies Disney
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.
Sky Go Extra will let users download shows to their mobile devices for £5 a month (update)
Being able to watch Sky TV on the go using, erm, Sky Go, is great, but streaming video away from your home router can often be costly, especially if you're on EE's basic LTE plan. Thankfully, the broadcaster is looking to launch Sky Go Extra, which, if The Telegraph is to believed, will allow up to four users to download anything from the Murdoch library straight to their mobile device. Adding such functionality to your family's viewing habits will set you back £5 a month (after a two month free trial) but that also includes unlimited access to the company's first-window movie catalog, a jewel it's paid heavily to keep out of the hands of rivals such as Netflix Lovefilm. Update: And it's official! PR's after the break.
Sky Go update adds support for 14 more Android devices, Jelly Bean
With the grand total of supported phones and tablets sitting at 25, Sky's Go is hardly the most widely supported streaming video platform. But the British broadcaster isn't just resting on its laurels. With today's update the number of officially supported devices more than doubled adding 14 slates and handsets to its existing list of 11. The company also added Jelly Bean (both 4.1 and 4.2) to its repertoire, almost five months after finally arriving on Ice Cream Sandwich. The Nexus 4 and 7 were both granted access (though not the 10) as was HTC's vaunted One line. For a complete list of devices on which you can watch the entire James Bond collection, check out the PR 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.
Sky Go for Android adds support for Ice Cream Sandwich, Samsung's Galaxy S III, Nexus and Note
When v2.0 of the Sky Go for Android app arrived earlier this month it promised another update would follow soon with support for Android 4.0 and more phones, and now it has arrived. We're not seeing it in Google Play yet, but the press release (included after the break) indicates the app is ready to run on the Galaxy S III, Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy Note from Samsung, and is also finally Ice Cream Sandwich compatible on those devices and the HTC Sensation / Sensation XE. That brings the total supported device count for the video on-demand player to a round 11, which is less than the "all" we're looking for but still more than the zero supported prior to February.
Sky Sports iPad app, Sky Go for iOS and Android refreshed with more content and features
BSkyB has been busy pushing updates to several of its apps, starting with the Sky Go player. On both iOS and Android, the big new addition is access to Anytime+ video on demand from the Movies and Entertainment category, covering Sky1, Sky Living, Sky Atlantic and Sky Arts 1. On Android, v2.0 of Sky Go brings the ability to manage ones account directly via the app, move the app to the SD card and other bug fixes. What it does not do, yet, is expand the (short) list of compatible devices, although the listing promises Ice Cream Sandwich support later this month. Meanwhile, the Sky Sports app for iPad has a new update too, adding a guide, split screen view for F1 races and the ability to remotely set recordings and reminders from the tablet. All the updates are available at their respective app stores, the links can be found below. Update (7/5): Sky has pushed out a press release for the Android update, and other than confirming the ICS compatibility update by the end of July, it also mentions support for more devices. The only two mentioned specifically are the Samsung Galaxy Note and Galaxy Nexus, you can see the release for yourself after the break.
BBC iPlayer reaching Windows Phone within 'weeks,' will catch up with Sherlock on your Lumia (update: perhaps not)
We've see BBC iPlayer reach many devices over time, but it's been conspicuously absent on Windows Phone. Nokia has stepped into give us some relief, and it's now promising that a port of the TV catch-up service will be ready for your Lumia 800 "in weeks." Good news no doubt, although Nokia's encyclopedic knowledge of British TV streaming is also dashing hopes of using the Sky Go mobile app on Windows Phone anytime soon: the same Nokia rep doesn't see Sky being ready for a "good few months" at the earliest. As such, you'll have no problems keeping up with Doctor Who and Sherlock when they're airing, but we wouldn't count on watching live football matches for awhile. Update: Pocket-lint is reporting that it quizzed the BBC over this issue and got a firm denial about a Windows Phone version, which suggests that The Inquirer's report, or its Nokia source, may have made an illogical deduction.
Sky Store replaces Sky Box Office in the war against everyone else
In the face of increasing competition from movie services like Lovefilm, Knowhow Movies and iTunes, Sky has reportedly decided to reinvent Box Office as Sky Store. Rather than the limited number of pay-per-view titles each month, it'll be repositioned as an online movie library with over 1,000 titles to view on your set-top-box, desktop or mobile device. New releases will be priced at £3.50 in standard-definition or £4.00 ($6.30) in HD. Back-catalogue titles will be priced at £1.99, with discounts on that figure on an infrequent basis. Sadly the service is only available to the five million or so subscribers with Anytime+, those who currently remain using SD services will get to keep the old-school Box Office.
Sky Go finally available on a few Android devices, brings some new channels
It's taken about eight months, but Sky Go is finally available on select Android handsets (HTC Desire, HTC Desire S, HTC Desire HD, HTC Incredible, HTC Sensation, Samsung Galaxy S, Samsung Galaxy S II) after launching on iOS last year. Beyond the limited hardware support, there's a few other caveats to be aware of -- the app is only supported on Android 2.2 and 2.3, so when Ice Cream Sandwich hits some of those phones soon, users will be forced to choose between upgrading or keeping Sky Go working. Another drawback is that due to DRM, the app is blocked from working on rooted devices. Once users have jumped through those hoops though, there will also be even more content available for viewing on all platforms including Sky Atlantic, Sky 1, Sky Living and Sky Arts 1, before F1 coverage launches in March. Speaking of F1 -- Sky also announced its new channel will bring 5.1 surround sound to UK and Ireland broadcasts for the first time this season.
