UPC in deal on added Sky content

UPC is taking the first steps towards making more Sky content available on its on-demand platform, after it agreed a deal on the premium movie channels.

The service is set to feature the top eight films from Sky’s on-demand service for customers to watch. Those who are already subscribers to Sky’s pay-TV packages will be able to access the films free of charge as part of their existing subscription.

The content will be changed regularly, UPC’s sales and marketing director Mark Coan said, with the top eight films refreshed weekly.

“It’s the first time we’re making content from Sky On-demand available to UPC subscribers,” he said.

The new film content will be available from next week in time for Christmas.

The move is a continuation of a wide-ranging deal signed by UPC that also saw high definition content come to the channel line-up.

On demand

“It’s our plan is to bring all the key content that’s available from Sky on to our platform over time,” Mr Coan said.

“It’s a first step but it starts us on that journey to expanding on-demand ,” Mr Coan said.

UPC’s on-demand service is delivered to about 90 per cent of its cable subscriber base. The company said about 80 per cent of customers who can access the on-demand service have done so since its launch earlier this year. In the third quarter of the year, UPC had 336,100 cable DTV customers.

Sky unveiled its competing on-demand service in October, which allows viewers to access any content that is covered by their subscription at whatever time they choose.

It also has a number of applications that allow customers to interact with their Sky subscription, including a Sky Go app for use in viewing TV while away from home.