BBC iPlayer Comes to Sky+

BBC iPlayer Comes to Sky+

LONDON, October 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

            Millions of Sky homes can access their favourite BBC shows, on-demand,

                                   directly on their TV

    BBC iPlayer, the BBC's video on demand service, has today launched on Sky+, bringing
the best of the BBC's TV programmes directly to the living room. Up to 6.7 million homes
with a Sky+HD box and broadband connection will be able to enjoy the best of the BBC on
demand in a familiar, easy-to-use BBC iPlayer experience that helps audiences catch up on
programmes they have missed.

    Audiences can access BBC iPlayer directly from Sky's on-demand programme guide, and
choose from many of the BBC's most popular shows, including Doctor Who, Strictly Come
Dancing and EastEnders. BBC iPlayer is available alongside catch-up TV from Sky, ITV,
Channel 5, with Channel 4's 4oD due to be added early next year, completing the line-up of
free-to-air terrestrial catch-up TV services on Sky+. Sky On Demand also offers on demand
access to shows from a number of other leading channels including UKTV, MTV and Discovery,
in addition to movies on demand and drama 'box-sets' such as Boardwalk Empire, Mad Men and
Stella.

    BBC iPlayer has been integrated into Sky's existing electronic programme guide and
on-demand menus. It contains a number of features that make it even easier for Sky
customers to find the BBC programmes they want, with content separated into a series of
simple categories. Viewers are able to browse through content by channel, day and genre,
and can gain easy access to BBC shows in high definition TV
[http://www.sky.com/shop/tv/high-definition ]. Regional and signed programmes are also
available through dedicated categories. Once a customer has made their choice, the
programme is downloaded directly to their Sky+ planner for them to watch at a time that
suits them.

    This landmark deal between the BBC and Sky builds on a substantial history of industry
partnerships for BBC iPlayer, which is now available on over 650 platforms and devices.

    In September 2012 alone, BBC iPlayer saw nearly 200 million requests for programmes,
including 2.2 million for Doctor Who, 1 million for Citizen Khan and hundreds of thousands
for favourites such as Strictly Come Dancing, EastEnders and Bad Education. By launching
on Sky+, BBC iPlayer is now available on every major UK television platform, at no extra
charge, and brings the service to up to 6.7 million Sky homes.

    Luke Bradley-Jones, Director of TV Products, Sky said: "We're delighted to have
partnered with the BBC to bring the best of the BBC on demand to Sky customers.Providing
customers with the flexibility to enjoy their favourite TV on demand, our comprehensive
catch-up TV service perfectly complements the genius of Sky+, which already helps millions
of our customers take charge of their viewing. We continue to put Sky customers in
control, with the addition of BBC iPlayer to Sky+sitting alongside a range of innovations
including remote record, series link and now even being able to use your iPad as a remote
control."

    Daniel Danker, General Manager, BBC Programmes and On-Demand, said: "BBC iPlayer has
had a record-breaking year, with 2 billion requests for programmes in 2011, and nearly 200
million requests in September 2012 alone. Available on over 650 platforms and devices
across PC, mobile, tablet and Internet-connected TVs, we are delighted that iPlayer is now
also available to millions of Sky+homes. 20% of all iPlayer use is already on the living
room TV. By partnering with Sky, BBC iPlayer is available on all major UK TV platforms at
no extra charge, making sure our audiences can access the best of the BBC's content at
home and on the go, whenever and wherever they choose."

    To enjoy Catch Up, Sky customers simply need to activate their On Demand
[http://www.sky.com/shop/tv/on-demand ] service and connect their Sky+HD box to their
broadband router.

    NOTES TO EDITORS

    Sky's Catch Up TV, which features the best TV broadcast over the last seven days, is
available to all Sky TV customers with a compatible Sky+HD box. Catch Up TV is part of
Sky's On Demand service (formerly known as Anytime+) which also offers Sky customers
access to a TV library of series box sets, classic programmes and hundreds of movies on
demand (for customers subscribing to Sky Movies 1 & 2).

BSkyB

CONTACT: Amy Holland / Sky Consumer PR / +44(0)207-032-1498 /  amy.holland@bskyb.com