Sky adds raft of new content to VOD service

UK pay TV operator BSkyB has upgraded its video-on-demand service Sky Anytime Plus and has added content from local broadcasters ITV and the BBC.

The move means that the BBC iPlayer catch-up service is now available to Sky Anytime Plus subscribers for the first time. It is also launching a dedicated ITV Player section that will see shows from the commercial broadcaster including Prime Suspect, Lewis and Cold Feet made available.

The BBC and ITV join MTV, Discovery, FX, History, Disney, UK TV and National Geographic Channel as content partners on the streaming service.

Separately, Sky is extending the reach of the service by making it available to all Sky Plus HD homes with an internet connection. This means that more than five million homes will be able to access Sky Anytime Plus rather than just the 1.2 million Sky Broadband homes that currently use the service.

Jeremy Darroch, chief executive, Sky, said: “Sky Anytime Plus will go from strength to strength in 2012 and we are delighted that the addition of the BBC iPlayer and ITV Player will allow customers to also enjoy the best of terrestrial TV, whenever they want. We’re also delighted to be able to widen access to the service so that millions more Sky customers can enjoy the added flexibility it offers.”