TalkTalk says it will offer customers a range of premium channels and video on demand content via YouView.
YouView combines broadcast channels with broadband delivered content from catch-up services such as the BBC’s iPlayer and premium content from Sky’s NOW TV service.
The broadband provider today announced it had signed a deal to offer customers Sky’s flagships channels “on a flexible, monthly basis”.
The deal covers standard definition versions of Sky 1, Sky Living, Sky Arts 1 & 2, Sky News, Sky Sports News, Sky Sports 1, 2, 3 and 4, Sky Sports F1 and the full suite of Sky Movies channels.
Customers will also gain access to “a comprehensive selection of bonus subscription video-on-demand content” through Sky Anytime.
Sky has already announced its new internet TV service, NOW TV, will be available to YouView households.
TalkTalk customers will also receive a 12 month free subscription to LOVEFiLM Instant and a free YouView box, which normally retails for £299, when they enter a 18 month contract.
Further content will be available via a TalkTalk player which will be exclusively available to the company’s customers.
Chief Executive Dido Harding said: “TalkTalk Plus customers will, from today, be able to pre-register for their free YouView set top box with no additional monthly subscription.
“This compelling offer is the UK’s best value triple play package. It will give our customers more reasons to stay with us for longer and attract new broadband customers. It will also deliver significant value for shareholders. This is TalkTalk at its disruptive best.”
Commenting on the SKy deal, Max Alexander, TalkTalk’s Managing Director of TV said: “Being able to offer a range of the most popular premium channels with the flexibility of being able to purchase content one month at a time is going to be hugely popular with our base and offers a great value addition to our YouView service.”
Sky’s Rob Webster said the Pay-TV giant was “delighted to extend the distribution of our channels and to reach even more UK homes.”
Webster added: “As we continue to increase our investment in high-quality pay TV content, we want to achieve as broad a distribution as possible and grow our content related revenues. Following the conclusion of our successful negotiation with Talk Talk, we look forward to its customers enjoying the opportunity to subscribe to some of Sky’s best content.”