Sky has finally launched its expansion into the IPTV arena, NOW TV. This
OTT service is aimed at households which do not already have a Sky satellite
service, but want access to movies (and sport in the future) at the same time
as they are available to the satellite service subscribers.
As with iTunes and the Google Play store you can rent movies, ranging from
99p for older films through to £3.49 for the latest additions to the library.
Most subscribers are likely to opt for the £15 per month subscription service,
which will give access to a library of 600 movies. There are more titles
available, with the very latest only available to rent. This is the same model
used for the Sky Anytime+ over broadband service for Sky TV customers.
The devices supported by NOW
TV at launch are PC, Mac, some Android smartphones. An iOS version for the
iPhone and iPad is expected in a months time, Xbox 360 during the summer and
YouView once it is available to purchase. Work is ongoing to bring the service
to the Sony PS3 and Roku streaming media player. We presume some Android
tablets are supported, but the NOW TV website is very sparse on detail, and
claims in contradiction to the press release, that the iPad is currently
supported.
This move by Sky to offer a service not linked to its physical satellite TV
service, is very savvy, and should help to protect the TV giant from the risk
of OTT services eroding the traditional subscription TV model.
The service is believed to be just offering standard definition quality
films initially, with 720p HD versions appearing in the future. A broadband
service that can download at 2 Mbps will be required to stream films, once the
HD version launches those wanting to watch the HD material will need a
connection in the 4 Mbps to 5 Mbps speed range.
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£15 a month is too expensive to be honest even if it have newer films, maybe a tenner and if there was also other content, but then I would think twice.
I should have realised being Sky that they would put their prices high.
also watching films on a PC is not ideal, my Pc is connected to a 22icnh monitor stuck in upstairs room, you would have thought Sky would have made sure people could use this service on at least 2 of the main games consoles. i also wonder what adverts Sky will stick in the stream
I guess they’ve priced this quite high so Sky TV subscribers don’t cancel Sky Movies and sign up to Now TV.
@zyborg47
Get movies off P2P then stream them to your Xbox/PS3.
Wow… just checked this out, £15 month.. and it doesn’t appear to be much better than Netflix, or Lovefilm.. the pay as you watch options suck. Basically same overpriced garbage as the Anytime+ stuff on the Sky Boxes…
@otester
I’ve not heard of P2P before? Got a URL and a cost per month?
I’m of course assuming you’ve happened upon a new movie rental service and not suggesting people partake in downloading movied unlawfully?
NowTV will have a broader range of stuff available (incl. sports) soon. also, the new Mac OS Mtn Lion to be released on Wed will offer airplay to appletv for those who are Apple oriented.