Sky has announced “world first” plans to bring together several streaming platforms as part a single TV subscription.
Viewers will soon be able to watch Disney+, Netflix, Hayu and HBO Max alongside Sky’s own original shows and exclusives as part of a new entertainment offering.
The deal, which Sky says is the best value in the market, means the platforms will be available together as part of the broadcaster’s Ultimate TV package from £24 a month.
HBO Max, coming to the UK and Ireland in March, will air the upcoming and much-anticipated Harry Potter series when it is released, and will also be the new streaming home for Friends.
It also brings medical drama The Pitt - long awaited outside the US following Emmy and Golden Globe wins - to the UK and Ireland for the first time.
Hayu, billed as “the home of reality TV”, offers The Real Housewives back catalogue as well as British shows such as Made In Chelsea and The Only Way Is Essex.
The two streamers join Disney+, which includes film franchises such as Star Wars and Marvel, and the hit series Rivals, as well as Netflix - home to shows including Stranger Things, Black Mirror and Adolescence - in being offered as part of a Sky subscription.
The service will begin in March, with Hayu available from July.
Sky, the owner of Sky News, is home to shows including Brassic and A League Of Their Own, and is also due to launch the first UK version of hit US comedy show Saturday Night Live in March.
With viewers preferring to access their favourite shows and films in one place, the announcement gives Sky an appealing offering amid increasing competition from streamers.
Bosses say the deal marks “a new era” for the broadcaster and its own streaming service, NOW.
“In a world-first, we’re bringing together Sky, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max and Hayu into a single Sky TV subscription,” said Sophia Ahmad, Sky’s chief consumer officer.
“Nowhere else offers this breadth of incredible entertainment in a fully integrated experience, with everything customers love watching side by side so viewers can jump from show to show with ease.”
Millions of existing customers with Sky Q, Sky Stream or Sky Glass subscriptions will get “easy access” to the new line-up as standard, she added.
“We’re proud to continue Sky’s legacy of innovation, making it easier than ever for people to enjoy the very best entertainment and best experience, all in one place.”
Sky plus the HBO Max Basic subscription with adverts, Disney+ Standard with adverts, Hayu, and Netflix Standard with adverts will be available together for new customers as part of Sky Ultimate TV from £24 a month, Sky has said, while existing customers will get access as part of their Sky TV subscription.
Source: Sky News
--Agencies
