Sky TV coming to XBL

MayoForSam

http://www.avforums.com/forums/xbox-360/1006183-sky-xbox-live-announcement-imminent-3.html
Press Release
Millions of entertainment fans will soon have the way they watch TV transformed, as Xbox 360 and Sky announce a ground-breaking partnership which will enable, for the first time ever, premium live television to be watched through a games console.
In a UK and Ireland first, Sky Player, Sky’s online TV service, will come to Xbox LIVE in the autumn, allowing Xbox owners to access a range of channels and programmes to either view live or on-demand.
Details of the full channel line-up will be revealed closer to launch, but it is anticipated that Xbox LIVE users will be able to access blockbuster movies, must-see entertainment shows, thought-provoking documentaries, programming dedicated to kids, music and the arts, as well as all the excitement of Premier League football, Test Match cricket and a wide variety of other sports through Sky Sports.

The news, officially unveiled today in Central London by Sky Sports News Georgie Thompson, reveals there will be a number of viewing options.
For a new customer joining Sky through their Xbox, Sky Player will offer a wide range of live channels and on-demand content via a number of different packages. These customers will also be able to access their favourite shows on a pay-per-view basis.
Existing Sky customers who already own an Xbox will benefit from another way to view their favourite shows, in addition to their Sky set-top box and PC or Mac
There will be a range of unique interactive services available to the Xbox LIVE / Sky Player offering. For Sky Sports, for example, this will mean that live coverage will be supported by range of applications to enhance the viewing experience further. As well as fans being able to communicate with one another in real time via their broadband connections, they will also be able to check news and access fixtures, league tables and other on-demand information. Interactive applications will also be developed across other programmes genres.
Stephen Nuttall, Director of Sky’s Commercial Group comments:” Our partnership with Xbox is a further example of our commitment to put choice and control in the hands of customers. Xbox owners now have a range of ways to access Sky content and can pick and choose the platform and packages that are right for them. We are extremely excited about the opportunity of reaching Xbox owners who are looking to experience Sky for the first time, as well as giving our existing customers yet another way to experience the content they love.”
Echoing this, Neil Thompson, Head of Xbox UK and Ireland, adds: “Our customers have told us that they want the opportunity to use their consoles as a way to access TV and once again Xbox has pulled off an entertainment first with amazing content and rich interactive experience. The combination of Sky’s leadership in content creation and aggregation and our own in creating a constantly evolving new generation of rich 360 entertainment experiences means we are one step closer to our goal of offering Xbox owners the best entertainment experiences out there, whether it’s movies, music, games, interactive experiences or high quality TV.”
Sky Player joins Xbox LIVE’s ever-expanding interactive online offering spanning on-demand films, music videos and games. It also enables users to communicate with each other via live video chat and MSN Messenger, beating console rivals to cement Xbox 360 as a true pioneer of home entertainment.
Sky Player currently provides access to a range of live TV channels – including Sky Sports – and a comprehensive on-demand library of thousands of programmes spanning entertainment, movies, documentaries, kids, culture, news and sport.
End

Interesting development for people with a 360, Sky and a decent BB connection - watch (and record?) Sky HD movies and sports using XBL from next autumn?

smooch71

MayoForSam wrote: »

Interesting development for people with a 360, Sky and a decent BB connection - watch (and record?) Sky HD movies and sports using XBL from next autumn?

Doesn't Sky + / HD already do all that?

mykro28

This is brilliant. If you subscribe to Sky you can already get access to Sky player on your pc which is great for catch up on programs etc. Now I can use my Xbox! Watch it on my TV without messing with cables from my laptop!!
Yes Sky+ does this but you are limited to the on demand that is pre-downloaded to your box, now you can watch anything at any time. The Sky player catalog of content is very impressive. Well done sky I am starting to feel that the rip off they charge is becoming worth it.

Gran Hermano

MS are also launching the Zune in UK/Ireland and improving how both
the Zune and 360 work together. Now if they let me download my Sky
programs to the 360 and then sync to the Zune I'll be well impressed.

Dman001

Gran Hermano wrote: »

MS are also launching the Zune in UK/Ireland and improving how both
the Zune and 360 work together. Now if they let me download my Sky
programs to the 360 and then sync to the Zune I'll be well impressed.

Yeah, that would be sweet. Unfortunately, if that was to happen, it will come with a cost.

Basq

Sounds great to be honest.

Would love a Netflix for my Xbox when all is said and done though.

Gran Hermano

Dman001 wrote: »

Yeah, that would be sweet. Unfortunately, if that was to happen, it will come with a cost.

Guess it depends on what arrangement Sky and MS come to.
There's no additional charge to use the Sky player on your PC as you're
covered by your monthly Sky subscription. Sky split their player offering
into two sections - http://skyplayer.sky.com/aboutskyplayer/
I could see them offering the 'TV on demand' part via the 360 for Sky
customers at a nominal cost as again you're viewing what you've already
paid for.

Liam O

Gran Hermano wrote: »

Guess it depends on what arrangement Sky and MS come to.
There's no additional charge to use the Sky player on your PC as you're
covered by your monthly Sky subscription. Sky split their player offering
into two sections - http://skyplayer.sky.com/aboutskyplayer/
I could see them offering the 'TV on demand' part via the 360 for Sky
customers at a nominal cost as again you're viewing what you've already
paid for.

They'll probably use some sort of advertising to subsidise the cost.

dazftw

Just browsing the sky website there and it seems you have to rent the older series of programmes! 2 euro! Bah! Your going to have to pay a monthly fee for this then pay more to watch older stuff! Its probably not even HD and if you want HD it will probably cost even more!!

Hopefully theres some sort of free trial! How much are people paying monthly for sk+ HD? Its £49.99 on there site but I reckon its more!?

I just wish it was netflix there so much more appealing! Awhile back I did the work around to get netflix over here and I paid the 8.99 dollars and it gave me access to everything.. Most of it was HD also!

amacachi

dazftw wrote: »

Hopefully theres some sort of free trial! How much are people paying monthly for sk+ HD? Its £49.99 on there site but I reckon its more!?

Think it's 15euro a month on top of the usual subscription.

Can't say I'm overly interested in this, like to keep things seperate unless they're actually integrated properly, and I'm not willing to pay for small conveniences.

Kristok

nice to see something like this happening this side of the pond with ireland involved aswell. But im not willing to pay twice for sky so wont be using this unless its free which it wont be.

Fingleberries

From what I can see the benefit comes to those who don't currently subscribe to Sky. You get access to some of their channels for (hopefully just) a minimal cost.

It all depends on their channel / programme line-up as to whether it'll be worth it. But it's definitely nice to get something like that over here, and with the Zune Video coming to XBox we could finally be getting some extra goodies on the XBox. Yay!

Jip

There's another article on Eurogamer
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/sky-high-article

I'm a little disappointed in that the content is not HD but would be interested if you could pay for one off events on Sky Sports or buy packages such as a Heineken Cup package etc.

Fingleberries

Here's a Reuters Article about it url=http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE54R7GP20090528?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews]link[/url, it seems to talk about Pay-Per-View options (don't know if that means a once-off access, or PPV in addition to existing subscription)

A number of subscription packages will be available, as will the opportunity to access programing on a pay-per-view basis. Users will also be able to take advantage of the Xbox live interactive service, such as talking to other fans while watching sports.

I'm eagerly watching for line-up and pricing...

amacachi

http://games.slashdot.org/story/09/05/29/045233/Xbox-To-Get-Live-TV-and-Massive-VOD-Update

Says no charge for existing subscribers, so does that mean it's like a cheap version of multiroom? If it has to be in the same room as the Sky box it's just a little pointless. :P

Dman001

From what I can tell, it will be free for Sky Player content if your a Sky customer (€2 if not).

But a few months ago, Sky allowed you to watch Live Tv through their Player. It costs €15 a month, but it is free if you have a multiroom subscription. It will be the same when watching through a Xbox.

So Basically, the same charges aply as if you were watching it through your computer.

corcaigh07

it would be great if they offered prices for one-off downloads and/or streaming. i dont have sky so say for example, if they offered Liverpool V Man.United Pay per view for 400 MS points, that would be awesome.

GAAman

I am sure mr tv license inspector is rubbin his hands with glee on this one

amacachi

GAAman wrote: »

I am sure mr tv license inspector is rubbin his hands with glee on this one

How so, using a tv or a moniter with internet access already compels one to pay the TV licence.

seanybiker

mykro28 wrote: »

This is brilliant. If you subscribe to Sky you can already get access to Sky player on your pc

Your not serious are ya???? Bloody hell, we have sky for years and I never knew that. Must look into that.

ciano1

corcaigh07 wrote: »

it would be great if they offered prices for one-off downloads and/or streaming. i dont have sky so say for example, if they offered Liverpool V Man.United Pay per view for 400 MS points, that would be awesome.

Knowing MS and SKY it would probably be 800+ MS points per game !!:pac:

Dman001

I'd prefer a subscription service when it comes to the movies. Like for 1200 points a month you can watch unlimited movies.

stevoslice

what does multiroom cost these days