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Why no BBC iPlayer, ITV Player or Sky Go for Xbox One?

The Xbox One will launch with an array of TV entertainment apps including 4oD and Demand 5 but not BBC iPlayer, ITV Player or Sky Go. 

Why is this? There are a number of reasons as to why these three popular services won’t be on Microsoft’s long-awaited games console from launch. 

The BBC says that it’s working on bringing its catch-up service to the Xbox One, but hasn’t given much of idea of when this will happen. 

Why no BBC iPlayer, ITV Player or Sky Go for Xbox One?
Folks in the US can enjoy HuluPlus Anime but no iPlayer, ITV Player or Sky Go for British gamers

Read Recombu Digital’s guides to BBC iPlayer, ITV Player and Sky Go

A BBC spokesperson told us: “BBC iPlayer is already available to audiences on over 1000 devices and platforms in the UK. Whilst we are working to bring BBC iPlayer to Xbox One in the future, we have no further details to share at this time.” 

The corporation recently unveiled a roadmap for the future of the iPlayer, which will include things such as bigger 30 day catch up windows, radio playlists and 4K Ultra HD streams, where available. 

Similarly, ITV has confirmed to Recombu Digital that ITV Player will not be available from launch, but declined to elaborate further as to why this is or when the service will be available on the console. 

For the time being Sky is focussing on bringing Now TV to the console, but hasn’t ruled out considering Sky Go for the Xbox One later. 

“We enjoy a long track-record of innovating with Microsoft and look forward to the launch of Now TV on Xbox One by summer next year.  As a dedicated over-the-top service, we have prioritised the availability of Now TV, to extend the reach of the service to the main TV.  Looking ahead, we will also consider any future opportunities for Sky Go.” 

Despite early speculation that Sky would be selling Xbox Ones as replacement Sky+HD boxes, letting customers record shows on their consoles, it looks like this isn’t happening. 

Sky has promised to improve availability of Sky Go on Android tablets and will likely be focussing on this before turning its attentions to other platforms. 

Now TV, aimed primarily at non Sky TV subscribers, recently launched a new £4.99 Entertainment Pass which lets subscribers access content from channels including Sky One, Sky Atlantic and Sky Arts. 

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