Service: Sky Player
Owner: BSkyB
What's happened?: Player has relaunched
Now Sky Player allows users to access most Sky content, including premium channels. Non-Sky customers can also take a monthly subscription to all Sky content without signing up for satellite pay TV.
Video on demand has been a crucial driver in the growth of the internet. The increase in internet speeds, with more than 80% of UK households now using broadband, allows VoD to become increasingly accessible. The new Sky Player has taken VoD to the next level. Even though it is subscription-based, users can set up an account without the need for a TV-based package.
Sky Player was developed with the support of Microsoft using Silverlight and PlayReady technologies, thereby providing exceptional video quality. Admittedly, it is a bit of a hassle to download the applications - as opposed to other providers that stream the content online. But once it is set up on either PC or Mac, the viewing experience is brilliant.
Sky Player was developed to allow easy access to videos and features smart navigation through provision of content categories, such as movies, sport and entertainment. It's an easy to navigate, media centre-style portal.
The Sky Player features the broadcaster's entire entertainment portfolio, from new film releases, classic movies and live sport events, to children's TV. The volume of content and the quality of the video content may revolutionize consumers' internet viewing experience.
As a subscription-based offering, advertising opportunities are limited. As soon as the content is made readily available through ad funding or sponsorships, the Sky Player promises to fully meet consumer's expectations, providing information for free and excellent advertising opportunities for brands.
What's good?
Exceptional video quality.
What could be better?
It is a bit of a hassle to download and install the application.
Would I book my clients on to this?
If Sky Player migrates to an ad-funded model, we would shortlist them in schedules.
Rebecca Johnson, account manager, Starcom