BSkyB tries Internet TV to catch other viewers

Satellite TV provider BSkyB threw itself into contention with Internet video providers on Wednesday through its own pure Internet TV service. Called Now TV, it will supply on-demand movies, sports, and other forms of entertainment both to computers as well as game systems, smartphones, and tablets. The aim was to catch the 13 million UK residents who didn't have traditional paid TV, CEO Jeremy Darroch said at The Guardian's Changing Media Summit.

The initial launch would focus on movies and should be ready in the summer. Rates and other terms, such as platform support, weren't yet ready.

BSkyB's approach is rare in the TV industry as a whole as it treated Internet viewing as an independent option rather than something inherently tied to traditional access. Many cable and satellite providers, particularly in the US, see Internet video as a threat to their legacy TV and often limit their own Internet components to existing subscribers. Now TV won't have as much content as regular satellite TV, but it also won't intentionally limit its audience.

The offering could have an impact on Internet video mainstays such as iTunes, Lovefilm, and Netflix, all of which have usually taken advantage of TV providers' and studios' reluctance by giving access to content on a more flexible level. [via The Next Web]

By Electronista Staff

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