Sky is to become the exclusive distributor of BT’s sports channels in Ireland as part of a “long term extension and expansion” of the two broadcasters’ previously agreed content deal.
Today’s news means Sky Ireland customers will get access to Sky Sports and BT Sport all through a single Sky TV subscription in time for the 2019/20 Premier League football season.
The channels are currently sold in Ireland by Eir as part of its sports pack.
Last December the two firms confirmed a content cross-supply deal which will see Sky make its full Now TV service available to BT TV customers, giving them access to the firm’s entertainment channels as well as the full line-up of Sky Sports and Sky Cinema channels, with Sky getting wholesale access to BT Sport in return.
The deal ended a long-running row between the two firms over access to one another’s content.
Today it was confirmed that customers will be able to record Now TV content, with the feature also going live in time for the 2019/20 Premier League season.
Stephen van Rooyen, UK CEO, Sky, said, “With Now TV at the heart of BT’s TV offering, Sky’s TV entertainment brands will be available to all UK consumers through every major pay TV service, and we also open up a new revenue stream for our business.”
Marc Allera, CEO of BT’s Consumer unit, said: “This extension of our partnership with Sky is great news for our customers, and is part of our commitment to provide our customers with the best service and content available.
“As part of this deal, Sky customers in Ireland will get access to great BT Sport content, and BT TV customers in the UK will be able to seamlessly watch and record their favourite NOW TV channels.”