Sky has launched a major challenge in the TV and broadband markets with a new smartbox and a Now TV Combo that unites live TV, streaming, phone and broadband.
The new smart box that will let customers watch and pause live television.
At an event in London, Gidon Katz, the company’s managing director, said the new ‘smart’ box would be selling for £40. Included with the box will be the possibility to watch “pay TV and free-to-air channels, live and on demand.”
It’s possible to pause and rewind television for up to 30 minutes but there is no hard-drive to allow recording of shows.
NOW TV, which was first launched in 2012, also allows customers to download more than 50 apps, including Spotify and YouTube.
Katz also said the Sky-owned company is “shaking things up” by launching a contract-free broadband, TV and call package.
Announcing the NOW TV Combo, Katz explained the box has been designed to be “completely flexible”.
The company said it will allow customers to get internet, TV, and call packages for as little as £9.99 per month, without a contract. However, a line rental of £17.99 must also be paid on top of this.
The combo package lets customers choose from four different monthly TV passes, including entertainment, cinema, sports and kids selections; a package offering different broadband speeds; and three call packages that include ‘pay as you use’, evening and weekends, or anytime calls.
The combination deal, which has prices up to £51.99 per month, plus installation fees, will be available from July.
“We want people to watch what they want, when they want and on their terms.” says Director of Now TV Gidon Katz. “We’re taking the very best technology and packaging it with the best content.”
Commenting on the launch David Mercer, Principal Analyst – Digital Consumer Practice at Strategy Analytic’, said: “By launching the UK’s first service package combining online pay TV, free TV, broadband and phone calls, NOW TV not only targets Freeview but other triple play providers like TalkTalk and BT. The £9.99 entry level package will be of interest to free TV viewers tempted by the flexibility of switching in and out of pay TV, as well as those looking to get a low cost broadband/TV bundle.
“The fact the new smart box combines free digital TV channels with Internet TV and video services in one interface should make life easier for people who want everything in one place without switching between different boxes.”