A new partnership deal has been agreed between BBC and Sky. The new deal will see BBC iPlayer become available to millions of subscribers this year. This means that viewers can enjoy a completely free addition to the current service, giving unlimited access to a vast library of BBC programmes. Customers needn't worry about missing their favourite shows again, as they will soon be available at the click of a button.
This move marks an important step forward for BBC, who aim to make their iPlayer service available to mass audiences the world over. With the service already available on other huge platforms such as Virgin Media and BT Vision, iPlayer is now available to even more people. The free service was launched in 2007 as a way for viewers to catch-up on BBC shows for free online. By simply logging on, thousands of programmes and radio shows were available free of charge. This is an important move for Sky, as there'll now be even more choice for their customers.
It is estimated that customers with the Anytime+ service in their homes will have access to BBC iPlayer within the next month. So if they miss the latest EastEnders episode, they can catch-up whenever they like. The Anytime+ service is accessible for free, but only for subscribers with an HD+ Box and Broadband Unlimited. Existing customers can upgrade to the HD+ service for an extra £10.25 per month to get this service, and new customers can enjoy huge discounts by signing up online.
The ECB – England & Wales Cricket Board – recently announced some very exciting news for cricket fans and Sky customers. A new deal has been made between the two for an extra four years of exclusive Live TV coverage. The current deal ends in 2013, so the new deal will see coverage of the popular sport carry on until the summer of 2017. This will come as welcomed news for cricket lovers, as they can enjoy all the latest test matches, county matches and international matches all from the comfort of their own home.
Subscribers to the 5 sports channels can enjoy all the upcoming events including the impending series against Pakistan, India, Australia and South Africa. In addition to the good news, it has also been revealed that an opportunity will be available at the end of the new deal for coverage to continue for another two more years. This means that matches could be shown by the broadcaster as far ahead as 2019. The first ever match to be shown by the digital TV provider was in 1990. For the previous five years they have been dedicated to showing matches every month, on top of all the important analysis and news through the sports channels. Also, 2012 marked the 150th live England Test match.
There is no denying that Sky should be the first choice for all cricket and sports fans. There has been many developments over the past year that allow subscribers to this service to enjoy sporting events in completely new ways. The Go service gives customers the option of viewing all 5 channels straight from their laptop, tablets and PCs – perfect if you're on the move and don't want to miss a second of the action. Also, with the introduction of HD, customers can expect and enhanced viewing experience.
Those who love their gadgets will be very pleased to hear the latest news from Sky TV. The leading provider will be launching a new internet TV service. This should be available to everyone by the beginning of the summer, it is estimated. These new plans mark a step in the right direction, as the TV service provider aims to be accessible on multiple platforms. This comes as no surprise when you think about how popular portable broadband devices are now, and how many ways people can access the internet from anywhere in the world.
This new service will give customers far more control, and a lot more flexibility when watching TV. Most of us lead hectic lives, so the ease of access will be a great benefit. Whether you are away from home or on a long journey, you can access a vast library of programmes and shows at the click of a button. What's also great about this service is that you don't even have to have a TV subscription. There are many different pricing options available, as long as the TV or portable device you are accessing from has a broadband connection. You have the option of paying monthly for unlimited access to movies if you wish, or on the other hand, you could pay per movie.
This isn't the only way in which Sky have expanded their mobile TV service. Recently they announced expansions to their Go service. This allows subscribers to have access to hundreds or different entertainment programmes, sports and movie from their Apple handsets – dependant on which TV pack they have at home. Recently though, plans have been announced to include Android handsets into the Go service too. So from February this year certain HTC and Samsung handsets will also be able to receive the service.
Recently launched, the Sky Atlantic by Sky TV is scheduled to broadcast the Boardwalk Empire, an acclaimed American Television series in February 2011. The series is product of HBO channel while its direction is done by Martin Scorsese and has received critical acclaim from one and all. It is noteworthy to mention that the pilot episode has been the most expensive one in the television history till date for which Martin Scorsese won the Directors Guild Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series.
The Boardwalk Empire is a adapted from Nelson Johnson’s book “Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City” in which the stage is set in decade of 1920s and when the sale of alcohol was considered illegal all over the United States of America. A story which highlights how power and money create a spiral greed amongst individuals and at times the government and politicians get embedded within this spiral is what The Broadwalk Empire is all about.
For the cast you have Steve Busceni in the lead role of Enoch "Nucky" Thompson who is supposed to be the corrupt treasurer of Atlantic County apart from being a political supremo. Followed by James “ Jimmy” Darmody who is Nucky’s protégé and carries along with him, his experiences during the World War 1. Playing the role of Nucky’s mistress Margaret Schroeder, you can watch Kelly Macdonald. Steve Busceni’s role as Nucky has been acknowledge with the Screen Actor's Guild Award for Oustanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series while Kelly was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television. Also worth mentioning here is that Broadwalk Empire has won the Golden Globe award for best Dramatic Series.
Moving on the sets of the series which were specially created at Greenpoint in Brooklyn along with some exterior scenes shot at Reid Hall at Manhattanville College. The Greepoint set was transformed into a look alike set of the Atlantic city in the 1920, the making of which took almost 3 months. It is said that the pilot episode cost them almost $18 million while the entire first season of the Broadwalk Empire is said to cost $65 million.
The critics have well received the entire series of Broadwalk Empire terming it as simply breathtaking. It is has been credited with making HBO climb the number on top position amongst other network channels. For HBO it can be considered as a risk which paid for Broadwalk Empire turn out a strong character driven series which the viewers were hungry for while the real look alike sets, costumes and direction hit the bulls eye right on the dot.
Sky Atlantic HD features ground breaking shows and some of the greatest acting, directing and writing talent in the world.
Sky Atlantic is free when you take the Variety Pack and will also be available on Sky Anytime & Anytime+, and available in high definition.
Featured Shows:
Sky Atlantic provides an exclusive home to HBO's celebrated programming, alongside some of the most hotly anticipated shows in television, including:
Boardwalk Empire Golden Globe award winning drama from the writer of the Sopranos (pictured right).
Mad Men Season 5 - three times award winning drama.
Game of Thrones is an epic new series starring Sean Bean in the struggle for the Iron Throne.
There is lots of action happening at Sky TV, UK with most of these actions pertaining to new channel launches and re branding of popular channels, Sky TV is all set to entice its customers once again in 2011.
Apart from the recently launched Sky Atlantic HD channel, you will soon by able to view the new and rebranded Sky Movies which will now include the Sky Movies Box Office as well.
The Sky Box Office will be accessible by one and all and you need not subscribe to the Sky Movies subscription in order to watch the same. By simply placing it under the Sky Movies group, people will get more information and access to it in a better way.
Sky Movies has been given a new look and appeal which is similar to a movie watching related experience for you traverse across places and the visit never before visited places. You could spend an exhilarating time watching popular movies in exceptional colour quality, depth and clearest of images accompanied by a quality sound system.
The totally revamped new Sky Movies accompanied with 12 channels is like a dream come true for most movie lovers. They simply need to browse through the latest movies on air on the Sky Movies Box Office by using the red button on their Sky remote and enjoy watching movies.
The early months of 2011, make Sky abuzz with activity with the Oscars scheduled to be held during the last week of February 2011. Sky has lined up an extensive array of movies to be aired all throughout the month which you could enjoy watching throughout 21st-27th February 2011.
It is time to get ready get the most of out watching Sky Movies for you can watch more than 70 movies throughout the week. Some of scheduled movies which you can watch include Clash of the Titans, Valentine’s Day, Nanny McPhee & The Big Bang, Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief, Daybreakers, The Crazies, Astro Boy, Leap Year, Repo Men and Case 39.
February has yet another event to celebrate, the Valentine Day for which Sky has planned an extravaganza of movies beginning from Monday 7th February till 20th February, so do make adjustments in your schedule to catch up on most of them. An eclectic mix of movies of love comedies, love tragedies, double bills and triple bills all over the mid of February are scheduled to be aired especially at evening and night slots. The Valentine Movie week begins with the movie Love Story (1970) at 6.15 pm on Monday 7th February while you can also watch The Ugly Truth, Indecent Proposal, Couples Retreat, When Harry Met Sally and many more. On 14th February, Ghost will be aired at 8pm followed by Did You Hear about the Morgans at 10 pm.
The Oscars Season on sky begins from Monday 21st February beginning the airing of the Thelma & Louise, Crash, Toy Story, Avatar, Crazy Heart, Pearl Harbour and many more all of them to be aired on Sky Movies Showcase/HD. You can catch up with the entire 83rd Annual Academy Awards ceremony live on the Sky Movies Premiere Channels.
Sky Movies Channel in February has lined up special movies in almost every genre specific channel which makes it even more interesting and exciting to watch. The entire family can watch the Toy Story on Saturday 19th Feb at 3pm and for an Action filled film do catch up with the Armageddon on Sunday 20th Feb at 8pm. Those who love watching horror films, the Signs is scheduled to be aired on Mon 7th Feb at 9pm while in the Indie section you can catch up with the Royal Tenenbaums on Sunday 20th at 10 pm. The ever green classic film To Sir, With Love Classic will be aired on Friday 4th at 9pm. The Sky TV customers are surely going to be sated by watching these movies and much more on Sky Movies channel.
Sky Living HD just became even more interesting and exciting to watch. Make sure you catch up on their latest offering Bedlam, a super natural drama series starting on 7th February 2011 at 10 pm. Bedlam, is a six episode series which weaves around a group of young people in their twenties who move into Bedlam Heights, an asylum turned apartment block to experience spooky and paranormal activity existing within.
Bedlam, the six episode drama evolves around the happenings which occur in and around the mental institutions and its paranormal effects on the people and the vicinity as well. It has been a phenomenon happening since ages but has never been dramatized and projected on a television screen till date this extensively.
Warren Bettany is the owner of the Bedlam heights who wishes to convert this shut down asylum into a block of apartments in order to revive the family property. Aiding this initiative is his daughter, Kate who lives in Bedlam Heights. Kate’s best friend Molly Lucas also moves in with her for she is on a look out for a soul mate . Ryan Mcallister, yet another Kate’s flat mate is deeply shaken by his brother’s murder which took place a year ago. At the same time, Ryan is on a look out for his life partner and wondering into which sort of relationship should he get into. Jed Harper is Kate’s cousin who has had a history of mental illness, suddenly springs up on the scene on the belief that Kate’s life in danger. Jed is known to have received a text message stating “Save Kate” which makes him make Bedlam Heights as his home. On discovering his co-resident is Jed is filled with extra sensory abilities, Ryan hopes on getting in touch with his dead brother’s spirit.
Matthew Bird, producer of the Bedlam series wanted something exceptional and very different from the regular drama series which the UK audiences are so very much used to. In order to churn out something original, different and definitely hooking, the concept of Bedlam simply fit into the bill and that too especially for Sky Living.
For the cast, lets begin with Ryan McAllister enacted by Will Young who was the first winner of Pop Idol and has a couple of acting roles to his credit. Charlotte Salt plays Kate who is a widely acclaimed television actress and also has a film ‘Beowulf’ to her credit. Her best friend Molly Lucas is played by Ashley Madekwe who is yet another noted television actress and known for her role as Bambi in the Secret Diary of a Call Girl. Hugo Speers plays the role of Kate’s father Warren Bettany has to his credit Screen Actors Guild Award in 1998 for playing the role of Guy in The Full Monty. Playing the role of Jed Harper is the new comer Theo James who first acted on television in 2010.
As the story of Bedlam unfolds on your television screen through the Sky Living HD, you can surely enjoy watching the drama and horror scenes which are set to unnerve you and make you bite your nails all through out. The decision is yours whether to be a part of bedlam or not !!
‘Powerful stuff’ of virgin media is one of the finest creation by Saint as it is the first brand which enables the user to design their own videos with special effects.
Sky User Review
Just got the Sky Plus box installed…..Well, it took some follow up for the installation engineers to arrive, yet they did a pretty good job at it. Opted for the Sky Variety Pack and Children’s pack from Sky, had quite time trying out the recording feature of the Sky Plus Box but scraped through somehow. Would appreciate if the customer helpline responded in better way and take interest in solving the queries on time
Max (28th October, 2009)
Promises of enhanced TV watching experience through the HDTV from Sky, made me go for the Sky+HD box. Well, after initial hiccups of Sky+HD installation and a considerable waiting period, the Sky+HD box was up and active. The picture clarity and sound were pretty up to the mark… Yet I would be glad if they direct us to the local service guy over the call center which could make things function better faster
Recently launched, the Sky Atlantic by Sky TV is scheduled to broadcast the Boardwalk Empire, an acclaimed American Television series in February 2011. The series is product of HBO channel while its direction is done by Martin Scorsese and has received critical acclaim from one and all. It is noteworthy to mention that the pilot episode has been the most expensive one in the television history till date for which Martin Scorsese won the Directors Guild Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series.
Sky Atlantic HD features ground breaking shows and some of the greatest acting, directing and writing talent in the world.
There is lots of action happening at Sky TV, UK with most of these actions pertaining to new channel launches and re branding of popular channels, Sky TV is all set to entice its customers once again in 2011.
Sky Living HD just became even more interesting and exciting to watch. Make sure you catch up on their latest offering Bedlam, a super natural drama series starting on 7th February 2011 at 10 pm. Bedlam, is a six episode series which weaves around a group of young people in their twenties who move into Bedlam Heights, an asylum turned apartment block to experience spooky and paranormal activity existing within.