Sky customers to enjoy comprehensive access to the best of Channel 4

13 September 2012

New Agreement Broadens Reach of Channel 4's Channels and Services andStrengthens Sky's Innovation in On-Demand, Online and on Mobile

Sky and Channel 4 have entered into a new agreement that will see a range of Channel 4's linear channels and its market-leading on-demand service 4oD become available across Sky's digital platforms.  With content being added to both Sky's TV on-demand service and Sky Go, and with new High Definition (HD) channels launching onto the Sky platform, millions of Sky homes will enjoy greater control and flexibility over where, when and how they enjoy the best of Channel 4. 

The agreement, which builds on Sky's leadership in HD, TV on-demand and viewing on-the-go, includes:

4oD launching on Sky's TV on-demand service.  Sky's on-demand service will expand to offer hundreds of hours of recent and classic Channel 4 shows - including complete series of its iconic franchises - all available to watch at the touch of a button.  The service is available to the more than 5 million homes with a Sky TV subscription, a compatible Sky+HD box and a broadband connection.
4oD is the UK's most successful commercial video on-demand service, based on long form video requests, and this new partnership with Sky will enable even more viewers to access Channel 4's legendary comedy, drama, factual and entertainment shows, whenever they want.

When 4oD launches on Sky's on-demand service early next year, Sky customers will be able to access catch-up content from all UK terrestrial networks, in addition to a wide variety of pay TV broadcasters, creating a comprehensive on-demand library and giving customers even more control and flexibility over their viewing. 

Channel 4, E4, More 4 and Film 4 to be added to Sky Go, Sky's online and mobile TV service.   Channel 4's linear channels, together with a range of archive content from 4oD (excluding movies), will be added to Sky Go, providing Sky customers with multiplatform access to live and on-demand TV on-the-go. 

Channel 4 will become the first terrestrial network to be added to Sky Go, joining Sky's wholly-owned channels as well as a selection of other leading broadcasters including Disney, ESPN, Turner, Nickelodeon and British Eurosport. 

Sky Go - which is available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, selected Android Smartphones, Xbox 360, PC and Mac - is currently used by more than 2.7 million Sky customers.

Two new High Definition channels, Film4 HD and More4HD, to join Sky+HD.  Following on from the launch of Channel 4 HD and E4 HD, both of which first launched to UK viewers through the Sky platform, two further channels will become available to Sky's 4.3 million high definition customers for the first time - Film4 HD and More 4 HD.
This will complete the HD roll-out of Channel 4's core channel portfolio, which began in 2006 when Channel 4 became the first commercial Public Service Broadcaster to launch an HD service.  

This means that Sky homes will be able to access 66 HD channels, further extending Sky's HD leadership.  Sky+HD is Europe's most comprehensive and popular HD service.

As part of the new agreement, Channel 4 will also receive viewing insight from Sky. Through Sky IQ, Sky's customer intelligence division, the broadcaster will receive insight and analysis on viewing of Channel 4's content on TV, online and on mobile.  The insight will include aggregated and anonymous demographic information in addition to viewing figures to help Channel 4 further understand its audiences, supporting its Viewer Engagement strategy.

Channel 4 will have ownership of all advertising inventory around its content available across Sky platforms, enhancing its successful digital and on-demand partnerships with clients and advertisers.

Rob Webster, Director of Sky's Commercial Group, comments: "Sky is committed to giving our customers total control and flexibility over how and when they access their favourite shows.   We already offer the best of pay TV on-demand and on-the-go, and now, with the addition of Channel 4, we're adding the complete line-up of terrestrial shows too. No other service will offer greater choice or convenience.

"Sky homes are embracing innovations such as Sky Go and TV on-demand in record numbers, and the addition of more quality content will create even more value for our customers."

Sarah Rose, Channel 4's Director of Commercial & Business Development, said: "We're delighted to have entered into this far-reaching partnership with Sky which will see Channel 4 content and our very successful VOD service, 4oD, span an even greater audience reach and enable more viewers to enjoy our programmes than ever before. And with the launch of More4 HD and the addition of Film4 HD, we're thrilled to be able to complete the roll out of our HD portfolio.

"Alongside the wealth of services launching on Sky's platforms, the data partnership with Sky will help us to understand how our audiences are enjoying our content across these platforms, bolstering our Viewer Engagement strategy which sees viewer data at the heart of Channel 4's innovative programme and commercial strategies."

Sky has also extended its relationship with Channel 4 for the carriage of Channel 4, E4 and More4 in the Republic of Ireland, where these channels form part of Sky's subscription service.

For more information, customers can visit: www.sky.com/catchup .  Catch-up content joins Sky's TV on-demand service from October.  Channel 4 content will be added in the new year.