PRESS RELEASE
From today, Sky customers will start to see a brand new Homepage on their Sky+HD boxes in the most significant shake-up to Sky's electronic programme guide (EPG) since its introduction at the launch of digital TV in 1998.
For the first time ever, On Demand, including Catch Up TV and Sky Store, and the Sky+ Planner now sit alongside channel listings as equal options on a new Homepage, so that customers can immediately find the shows they most want to watch, whether live or on demand.
And later this year further updates will be rolling out to millions of Sky+HD boxes in homes across the UK, making it even easier for people to discover great content. One key feature will be a new and smarter approach to recommendations, based on Sky+ Planner recordings and downloads.
The update rolling out from today means customers can now choose between browsing live channels, catching up on something recently aired, bingeing on a box set, watching a movie or browsing recordings in their Planner - all easily accessible from a single screen.
And with an average 1 million searches per day, a supercharged search box now takes centre-stage on the homepage. Search by title, actor, event, channel, sport or any key word, and expect the most recent and on-trend suggestions across all live and on demand content, thanks to technology that collates results based on real-time searches across the nation.
The new TV Homepage reflects how millions of Sky customers are taking control over their viewing like never before. The combination of the UK's widest choice of Catch Up TV channels as well as more box sets like Game of Thrones, The Wire, 24 and An Idiot Abroad has led to millions of people connecting their Sky+HD boxes to the internet, making Sky+ the UK's biggest connected TV platform.
The new icons on the homepage will include:
- TV Guide: customers can browse the best choice of TV channels available on Sky anywhere in the UK
- Planner: customers' own library where all their recorded or downloaded shows can be found
- Catch Up TV: catch up using the UK's biggest Catch Up TV service, with shows from 60 of the most popular channels
- TV Box Sets: more of the latest and greatest box sets than any other subscription service
- New Series: search all of the latest series premiering across Pay TV and terrestrial channels, brought to you in one place
- Best of On Demand: expert picks of the best shows and movies to watch right now includingSee It Firstepisode previews
- Sky Movies On Demand: hundreds of movies, including the latest premieres added every Friday
- Sky Store: rent the latest blockbuster or classic favourite from just 99p
- Search: instantlyfind a show, sport or movie with just the first part of the title, actor, event, channel, or even key word
The Sky+ app is also being refreshed, mirroring the changes taking place on the Sky+HD box. This includes the new Homepage plus a new highlights carousel. And responding to customer demand a new feature has been added, which lets customers use the Sky+ app to turn their Sky+HD box on and off from their mobile or tablet.
Luke Bradley-Jones, Brand Director, TV Products, comments:
"With so much fantastic TV on offer, we know it can sometimes be difficult to decide what to watch. Our new Homepage means it's now much easier to quickly find what you want, when you want to watch it - whether that's the big Premier League clash or catching up on Game of Thrones.
"The new home page is a really important innovation, putting Sky+ at the heart of the connected home. And there's even more to come, with a smart new approach to recommendations coming later this year."
The software update with the new Homepage is rolling out to customers starting from today, and will be available to all 8 million customers with compatible Sky+HD boxes by the end of May this year. To make the most of the new Homepage, Sky customers should connect their Sky+HD box to their home broadband. For further information visit: sky.com/homepage
Sky's On Demand service is available at no extra charge to all customers who have connected their Sky+HD box to their broadband connection. The on demand content available depends on a customer's subscription. TV box sets are available at no extra cost for customers with either an HD subscription, or the Entertainment Extra+ TV package.
Monthly comparison against online and Pay TV UK subscription services based on shows for which the latest series is showing now or in the last 12 months or in the next 12 months from February 2014. See sky.com/moreboxsets.
About Sky
Sky is the UK and Ireland's leading home entertainment and communications company. Around 40% of all homes have a direct relationship with Sky through its range of TV, broadband and home telephony services.
Sky is the UK's biggest investor in television content, investing more than £2.5 billion a year in channels such as Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Sky Arts, Sky Sports, Sky Movies and Sky News. Around two-thirds of Sky's content spend is invested in the UK and Sky is the fastest-growing source of investment in original British programmes. More than 30 million people watch Sky content each week.
Alongside its commitment to offering customers a greater choice of high-quality content, Sky is a leading innovator. Customers enjoy total control and flexibility over their favourite TV through Sky+, watch TV on the move through Sky Go, and enjoy the best quality TV experience at home through High Definition and 3D.
Sky distributes its content broadly over several platforms, including satellite, cable, IPTV, mobile and WiFi. NOW TV, Sky's second consumer brand, builds on the company's leadership in internet TV. Sky is also the UK's fastest-growing home communications company and favourite ‘triple-play' provider of TV, broadband and home phone.
Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates by taking positive action on the environment, supporting grassroots sports and increasing access to, and participation in, the arts. Sky employs 24,000 people, has annual revenues of £7.2 billion and is estimated to support a £5.9 billion contribution to UK GDP. Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (BSY).
