Virgin Media and Sky have locked out BT with a deal that gives cable viewers HD sports and mobile streaming channels.
In addition to all previously available channels, Virgin Media customers will be able to subscribe to five new ones: Sky F1 HD, Sky Sports 3 HD, Sky Sports 4 HD, Sky Sports News HD and Sky News HD.
The agreement will also give customers access to Sky’s entertainment channels on multiple devices, including PCs, smartphones and tablets, for the first time via the Virgin TV Anywhere app.
Tom Mockridge, Virgin Media chief executive said: “We are excited out customers will be able to watch even more great TV from Sky on more devices.
“This promises to be a fantastic summer of entertainment and our customers, whether at home or on the go, will get to enjoy Sky’s range of channels for years to come as a result of our investment.”
From the summer, subscribers to Sky Movies and Sky Sports will also be able to access live and on demand content on the go through Sky Sports and Sky Movies apps.
Conspicuous in its absence is Sky Atlantic, meaning Game of Thrones fans will miss out as Sky maintains the channel’s status as its exclusive property.
Virgin Media intends to target BT with the extended deal, adding: “With Sky customers needing to have a separate contract with BT to watch BT Sport, and BT customers unable to watch the majority of the Sky Sports channels, Virgin Media is the place for what promises to be a major summer of sport.”
Both Sky and Virgin claim the deal is the most comprehensive wholesale agreement ever agreed by Sky, with more details to follow on the Virgin TV Anywhere rollout of Sky’s entertainment channels.
Image: Flickr/Jon Candy
Leave a Reply