Sky to give ‘more prominence’ to BBC in latest agreement

UK pubcaster the BBC and pay TV operator Sky today have renewed and expanded their long-term partnership with an agreement that the pair say will further enhance the visibility of the BBC’s brands and services on Sky’s TV services.

Sky said that BBC content will be more prominent on Sky platforms by making it even easier for Sky customers to find programmes on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds, the pubcaster’s streaming apps.

Sky said that the agreement also reinforced the pair’s joint support of the UK creative economy with a common goal to invest in high-quality programmes and news made in the UK for UK audiences.

The latest agreement between the pair follows the launch of BBC Sounds, the pubcaster’s audio streaming app, on the Sky Q advanced TV service, as well as a recent partnership on sports broadcast rights, sharing both the Women’s Super League and matches from the new cricket format.

Stephen van Rooyen, executive VP and CEO, UK and Europe at Sky said: “We know our customers love the BBC’s distinctive range of world-class content, so we’re pleased we can integrate it more deeply and aggregate it seamlessly together with all the best apps and content from our other partners, all in one place on Sky Q.There’s a long history of collaboration between Sky and the BBC and both organisations play a pivotal role in supporting the UK’s cultural economy – I’m excited to see what more we can do together.”

Tim Davie, BBC director-general, said: “It’s essential that all audiences get the maximum value from the BBC – and this agreement will ensure millions of Sky customers around the UK have access to the diverse rich mix of programming across the BBC – whether that’s our live TV channels and radio networks or millions of hours of programming available when you want on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds, It’s also key that UK audiences hear and see stories and programmes that resonate with them and where they’re from, so I look forward to working with Sky to continue to support the UK creative economy to achieve that goal.”