Sky, WWF and Global Action Plan join forces to challenge UK schools

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 17:09:38 GMT

Sky, WWF and Global Action plan have launched a new online resource, the Sky Rainforest Rescue Schools Challenge that will challenge primary and secondary school students to reduce their carbon footprint in order to help protect the rainforest.

The Sky Rainforest Rescue Schools Challenge will encourage schools to be more aware of the food we eat, the energy we use and the stuff we buy. It will integrate into the curriculum, covering subjects such as geography, citizenship, science and numeracy. Using an array of teaching resources and interactive learning tools, teachers will be able to help their students come up with a practical plan of action tailored to their school.

Teacher, Polly Shoebridge at Lampton School, said of the challenge: "When we found out about the Sky Rainforest Rescue Schools Challenge, we jumped at the chance to be involved. The initiative is incredibly interactive and really gets the students engaged - the environment is a topic they all feel very passionate about, and the project enables students to become more aware of the issues surrounding climate change."

Each week, the team that takes the most action will receive a Flip Video Camcorder. At the end of the first challenge year, which will finish in June 2011, each team will not only receive feedback from the Sky Rainforest Rescue Schools Challenge team on how ‘rainforest-friendly’ they’ve become, but also qualify for the grand prize. The best team from each UK country and the Republic of Ireland will win their school £1,000 or 1,150 Euros for the Republic of Ireland. The overall winning team will have the opportunity to present their ideas to key political decision makers, and have the experience captured by a Sky film crew.

"Every minute of every day, an area larger than three football pitches is lost from the Amazon rainforest. It's a bit scary to think about, but there are practical ways in which schools can help. We always encourage people to take easy steps to help the environment and having worked with schools for years, we’re confident that the children who are involved now, will be better equipped to create a sustainable future. One with thriving, valued rainforests," said Trewin Restorick, CEO of Global Action Plan.

More than 700 schools in the UK and the Republic of Ireland have already pre-registered for the Sky Rainforest Rescue Schools Challenge, but it’s not too late for more schools to sign up at www.skyrainforestrescueschoolschallenge.org.

The Sky Rainforest Rescue Schools Challenge sits alongside Sky and WWF’s three year campaign to protect one billion trees in the Amazon rainforest.

ENDS

About Sky
Sky has been helping to combat climate change for over six years:
- In October 2009 Sky and WWF launched Sky Rainforest Rescue, a three-year campaign with the Acre state government to help save one billion trees in the Amazon. The campaign, aims to protect the rainforest covering over three million hectares in the state of Acre, Brazil to help combat climate change and preserve the unique habitat and species of the Amazon.

Sky announces Sky+HD Party offer

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 15:31:52 GMT

Sky is giving customers the chance to share the ultimate TV experience with their friends by hosting their very own Sky+HD Party.

Each host will be given one complimentary film to watch in stunning high definition from a choice of three new movie releases from Sky Box Office HD worth £3.91, plus a £10 M&S voucher to kick off the party in style.

Sky+HD customers have a choiceof three films to choose from - Inception, Sex and the City 2 and Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore - shown exclusively from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th December.

To qualify for the offer, party hosts need to set up their Sky+HD party and invite three or more friends, who must accept their online invitations by 5pm on 16 November. Friends must be over 18 and cannot be members of the same household.

The Sky+HD party host and their guests will get closer to the explosive action of a Hollywood blockbuster with the sharper detail and superb quality sound of Sky high definition.

Those wishing to host a Sky+HD party need to be an existing Sky+HD customer whose HD viewing card goes active before 14th November 2010 are eligible for this offer. All friends must accept their invitations online by 5pm on 16th November and the parties will need to take place on one day between Friday 10th and Sunday 12th of December 2010.

The Sky+HD Party offer is subject to availability and limited to the first 19,000 parties.

ENDS

About Sky
Sky operates the most comprehensive multichannel, multi-platform television service in the UK and Ireland, reaching over 9.9 million homes. Sky continues to break new ground with its own portfolio of channels: Sky 1 combines its commitment to UK production with the best of the US; Sky Arts is the UK’s only dedicated arts channel brand; Sky Sports is still raising the bar in sports broadcasting; and Sky News remains a pioneer in television news. Sky also works with dozens of other broadcasters on the satellite platform, online and on mobile. Sky is now leading the UK into the age of high definition television with Sky+ HD and launched Europe’s first 3DTV channel, Sky 3D, this October. The company is also the UK’s fastest-growing broadband and home phone provider.

Sky Pro Tour Cycling Team help save a billion trees

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 10:13:52 GMT

Team Sky, the UK's only Pro Tour Cycling Team, has changed its colours from blue to green for this year's Tour of Britain to help raise awareness of Sky Rainforest Rescue, which aims to help save one billion trees in the Amazon rainforest.

The Sky Rainforest Rescue kit as worn by Team Sky is currently being auctioned off on Going Going Bike. The Team Sky and Sky Rainforest Rescue auction star lot is the bike actually ridden by Tour de France and Olympic Star Bradley Wiggins during the Tour of Britain - a £14,000 Pinarello Dogma.

100% of all winning bids will go directly to Sky Rainforest Rescue and all money raised through Sky Rainforest Rescue will be donated to WWF-UK. Sky will donate a further £1 to WWF-UK to match each £1 raised through Sky Rainforest Rescue, and has guaranteed to contribute a total of £2million to help reach the campaign target of £4millon.

Sky Rainforest Rescue is a three year Sky and WWF campaign to help save one billion trees in the state of Acre, northwest Brazil. With deforestation now responsible for roughly 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions and an area the size of three football pitches is destroyed every minute in the Amazon Rainforest, Sky Rainforest Rescue is highlighting the crucial need for people to act now to help tackle this potentially devastating global issue.

In addition to Bradley's limited edition Sky Rainforest Rescue bike, which comes with a complete set of green apparel and accessories, including a bespoke Bradley Wiggins Prologo saddle, a Kask helmet, a signed adidas jersey, an adidas cap and two Elite Gatorade bottles, there are also other replica items of kit worn by the whole team which can be bid for. These include green Oakley Jawbone sunglasses, Kask helmet and adidas jerseys in a range of sizes. None of these items are available to buy in the shops.

Editor's Note:

About Going Going Bike:
Launched in July 2010 Going Going Bike is the UK's dedicated online auction for bikes, bike parts and bike gear. With its 'Prove It' system Going Going Bike aims to create a legitimate second hand market for bikes. In addition to auctions Going Going Bike provides a community for cyclists with blogs, bikepedia and bike love.

About Team Sky:
Sky is the principal partner of British Cycling at both an elite level, supporting elite riders and Team Sky, and a grass-roots level by making cycling fun and accessible for everyone. Sky aims to inspire the next generation of cycling heroes with Team Sky and hopes to win the Tour de France, clean, with a British rider within five years, whilst getting one million more people cycling regularly by 2013.

About WWF:
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

Team Sky to help save one billion trees in the Amazon

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:31:02 GMT

For the first time ever, riders competing in The Tour of Britain for Team Sky will be raising awareness of deforestation in the Amazon by wearing a Sky Rainforest Rescue inspired kit. The tour kicks off in Rochdale on Saturday 11th September and ends in London the following weekend.

Sky Rainforest Rescue is a three year campaign between Sky and WWF to help save a billion trees in the state of Acre, northwest Brazil. Deforestation is now responsible for roughly 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions and an area the size of three football pitches is destroyed every minute in the Amazon rainforest.

Richard Harris, WWF’s Fundraising Project Manager said: “The more people that know about the work we are carrying out in the Amazon rainforest to improve people’s lives and protect the amazing species and habitat, the more likely they are to support the cause. We are delighted that Team Sky have decided to support Sky Rainforest Rescue."

Team Sky riders will be sporting Sky Rainforest Rescue branded jerseys, glasses, helmets, water bottles, saddles and bikes as they travel across the country competing in this exciting road race.

Riders competing for Team Sky include Steve Cummings, Russell Downing, Mathew Hayman, Greg Henderson, Geraint Thomas and Bradley Wiggins.

Team Sky's Bradley Wiggins commented: "Wearing this unique Sky Rainforest Rescue kit during the Tour of Britain is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness for a really important issue and help reach the target of raising £4 million* to save 1 billion trees in the Amazon."

Sky Rainforest Rescue offers a number of ways for people to help Sky and WWF tackle deforestation; for just £3 a month you can sponsor an acre of rainforest or adopt a jaguar, and a donation of £20 will help save 1000 tress.

Notes to editors:
*All money raised through Sky Rainforest Rescue will be donated to WWF-UK, charity registered in England and Wales number 1081247 and in Scotland number SC039593. Sky will donate a further £1 to WWF-UK to match each £1 raised through Sky Rainforest Rescue, and has guaranteed to contribute a total of £2,000,000.

Sky offers comparison table for sports packages

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:30:13 GMT

Sky has created a new comparison table for its sports packages, putting the price and package deals of Sky and its main competitors side by side.

The comparison tables allow consumers to check prices and features between Sky and competitors, meaning customers can now compare Sky and BT prices as well as compare Sky and Virgin Media.

Features compared include which Sky Sports channels are available, the availability of interactive coverage, high definition channels, the ability to watch Sky Sports online or on a mobile viewing platform, and whether the provider offers 3D viewing.

On the page to compare Sky Sports with BT's offerings, Sky has produced a carousel listing ten reasons it believes its offering is superior, including items such as smaller minimum contract.

The schedule for Sky Sports for the next 12 months includes the Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, the Ashes, the Guinness Premiership, the Ryder cup, the US Open as well as many other world's sporting highlights, in many cases available in high definition and 3D.

About Sky
Sky operates the most comprehensive multichannel, multi-platform television service in the UK and Ireland. More than 9.8 million homes enjoy an unprecedented choice of movies, news, entertainment and sports channels. Sky continues to break new ground with its own portfolio of channels: Sky1 combines its commitment to UK production with the best of the US; Sky Arts continues to embrace new audiences as the UK's only dedicated arts channel brand; Sky Sports is still raising the bar in sports broadcasting; and Sky News remains a pioneer in multiplatform television news.

Over 6 million Sky homes now enjoy the control and flexibility of Sky+ and 2.9 million homes have already joined Sky+HD, which provides access to 44 dedicated HD channels and future innovative services like broadband-enabled video-on-demand and 3D TV.

Sky has also been the UK's fastest growing broadband and fixed-telephony provider for the last two years.

SKY 1 HD makes Must Be The Music tracks available for public download

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:58:10 GMT

Sky 1 HD has announced several unique elements to its new series Must Be The Music, which will give musicians through to the semi-finals the best possible chance of achieving their dreams in succeeding in the music industry.

Every contestant that reaches the live semi-finals will have the track that they perform available to download via ITunes and Sky Songs. Viewers will be able to download the acts’ music while the shows are actually on air. The contestant’s tracks will sit alongside those from the show’s judging panel including Dizzee Rascal, Jamie Cullum and Sharleen Spiteri.

This new downloading capability means that for the first time, in any UK televised talent competition, all contestants who reach the semi final stages have the chance to get their songs into the charts irrespective of whether they win the competition or not. As well as giving them a shot at chart success, Must Be The Music will ensure that contestants receive all net profits generated from the download sales.

The series, set to launch on 8th August, is open to all musicians and singers no matter what type of music they play and for the first time since 2007 on any UK talent show, viewers from the Republic of Ireland will have the chance to vote through both their red buttons and phones, alongside those from the UK. Sky 1 HD will not receive any revenue from the voting mechanisms.

Duncan Gray, Head of Entertainment, Sky1 HD and Sky1, 2 and 3, commented: "Customer interaction with Sky 1 HD is really important to us, whether they are in the UK or Republic of Ireland. I’m really pleased that Must Be The Music is not only the first show to offer immediate song downloads for all the semi finalists’ performances, but also all our customers, including those in the Republic of Ireland, will now get a chance to vote for their favourite act, and for only 5 pence/ 7 cents per phone call. This is a great step forward in offering interactive services that make the editorial more accessible for the viewer."

In addition to each contestant’s tracks being available for immediate download, the individual contestants, judges and presenter will have their own social media profiles including Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Bebo and MySpace. Each site which will host exclusive footage and behind-the-scenes clips of the artists as well as snippets of their live performances on SoundCloud.

Hosted by Fearne Cotton, the eight week series on Sky 1 HD hands back control to the artists themselves, provides creative support, promotional advice and a cash fund of £100,000 to kick start their career. The final will be held live at Wembley Arena, where the finalists will be performing on the same stage as the show’s prestigious judges in front of over 10,000 members of the public.

Alongside their tracks being available for download, the acts will also have merchandise available to purchase on their own tailored websites and on Sky.com.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

About Sky
Sky operates the most comprehensive multichannel, multi-platform television service in the UK and Ireland. Almost 6.5 million Sky homes now enjoy the control and flexibility of Sky+ and 2.1 million homes have already joined Sky+HD which provides access to 37 dedicated HD channels and future innovative services like broadband-enabled video-on-demand and 3D TV.

Sky has also been the UK's fastest growing broadband and fixed-telephony provider for the last two years.

Sky and Simplifydigital reveal benefits of entertainment bundles

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:59:57 GMT

Sky and Simplifydigital - the UK's only Ofcom accredited retailer of digital TV, broadband and home phone deals - have released new data on the savings available by "bundling" digital TV, broadband and home phone services with a single provider. The latest data shows that a staggering £760 per year can be saved by choosing the best digital bundle deal.

The data comes from a sample of 400 customers between January and May 2010. The average customer saving was £262, while 20% of customers saved more than £577 and 10% more than £760 per year.

Charlie Ponsonby, CEO of Simplifydigital, said: "The digital TV, broadband and home phone market is cut-throat and there has never been a better time to take advantage of the savings on offer. Bundle deals now start from as little as £18 per month for all three services (broadband, digital TV and home phone) – plus there are some amazing introductory offers to be had on top. There really is no excuse for customers to keep wasting big money with overpriced legacy tariffs."

Earlier in the year, Sky was named winner of the 'Best digital TV, broadband and home phone bundle' award in the Simplifydigital Customer Choice Awards 2010.

The Simplifydigital Customer Choice Awards for digital TV, broadband and home telephony services are based on the UK's only large scale qualitative review of customer experience, compiled using the unique Feefo feedback service, which pulls together people's opinions, likes and dislikes 60 days into the service.

About Sky
Sky operates the most comprehensive multichannel, multi-platform television service in the UK and Ireland. More than 9.7 million homes enjoy an unprecedented choice of movies, news, entertainment and sports channels with Sky packages. Sky continues to break new ground with its own portfolio of channels: Sky1 combines its commitment to UK production with the best of the US; Sky Arts continues to embrace new audiences as the UK's only dedicated arts channel brand; Sky Sports is still raising the bar in sports broadcasting; and Sky News remains a pioneer in multiplatform television news.

Almost 6.5 million Sky homes now enjoy the control and flexibility of Sky+HD and 2.1 million homes have already installed a Sky+HD box, which provides access to 37 dedicated HD channels and future innovative services like broadband-enabled video-on-demand and 3D TV.

Sky has also been the UK's fastest growing broadband and fixed-telephony provider for the last two years.

About Simplifydigital
Simplifydigital is the UK’s only Ofcom accredited retailer of digital TV, broadband and home phone services. The Simplifydigital impartial experts take thousands of calls every week, from UK consumers looking to find the very best digital TV, broadband and home phone deals.

Each customer receives a free "consultation", during which the experts match their unique needs to one of over 10,000 deals from all the top UK providers.

Each customer who buys through Simplifydigital then receives a qualitative feedback form from Feefo within which express their views of the Simplifydigital service and the quality of the service provider to which they have signed up.

Sky 3D Online Pub Finder Launches

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:52:58 GMT

Sky has launched an online pub finder ahead of Saturday's launch of Sky 3D for the top of the table clash between Manchester United and Chelsea. The Barclays Premier League match kicks off at 12pm on Saturday 3 April.

More than a thousand pubs and clubs across Britain will be showing the game, with new venues being added to the pub finder daily and further venues expected to sign-up before the end of the season.

Following the game on 3rd April, Sky will show at least a further five Premier League games - to be announced - before the current season ends on Sunday 9th May as well as the Coca-Cola Football League Play-Off Finals from Wembley Stadium at the end of May, all live and all in 3D.

Sky's installers have been working hard to ensure the vast majority of pubs on the finder have been kitted out with 3D TVs and 3D glasses in time for the match. To be sure their local is one of those, fans are advised to check with their pub before the game.

Outside of the live games, a showreel showcasing the best of Sky 3D - which will cover a wide range of different programming - will run on Sky 3D during selected hours of the day. This programming, which will run from launch, will also be available to residential customers who subscribe to Sky's top channels and HD pack.

About Sky
Sky operates the most comprehensive multichannel, multi-platform television service in the UK and Ireland. More than 9.7 million homes enjoy an unprecedented choice of movies, news, entertainment and sports channels. Sky continues to break new ground with its own portfolio of channels: Sky1 combines its commitment to UK production with the best of the US; Sky Arts continues to embrace new audiences as the UK's only dedicated arts channel brand; Sky Sports is still raising the bar in sports broadcasting; and Sky News remains a pioneer in multiplatform television news.

Almost 6.5 million Sky homes now enjoy the control and flexibility of Sky+ and 2.1 million homes have already joined Sky+HD, which provides access to 37 dedicated HD channels and future innovative services like broadband-enabled video-on-demand and 3D TV.

Sky has also been the UK's fastest growing broadband and fixed-telephony provider for the last two years.

Sky 3D Online Pub Finder Launches

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:03:13 GMT

More than a thousand pubs and clubs across Britain will be showing the game, with new venues being added to the pub finder daily and further venues expected to sign-up before the end of the season.

About Sky
Sky operates the most comprehensive multichannel, multi-platform television service in the UK and Ireland. More than 9.7 million homes enjoy an unprecedented choice of movies, news, entertainment and sports channels. Sky continues to break new ground with its own portfolio of channels: Sky1 combines its commitment to UK production with the best of the US; Sky Arts continues to embrace new audiences as the UK's only dedicated arts channel brand; Sky Sports is still raising the bar in sports broadcasting; and Sky News remains a pioneer in multiplatform television news.

Sky has also been the UK's fastest growing broadband and fixed-telephony provider for the last two years.

Five to make HD debut on Sky this summer

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:23:20 GMT

Sky and Five have announced the launch this Summer of Five HD, a high definition version (HD) of Five, which will show programming that has been made in HD. Five HD will start broadcasting to more than 2 million Sky+HD homes in July.

The public service broadcaster's line-up lends itself to transmission in HD with top-rating US dramas such as CSI and FlashForward, popular soaps including Neighbours and Home & Away, international cricket and live Europa League football, as well as blockbuster movies.

With the addition of Five HD, Sky customers will enjoy the largest range of HD programming across both for free-to-air and pay television. With access to HD channels from all UK terrestrial broadcasters, and the widest variety of high-quality pay TV channels from Sky and other leading channel brands.

Five becomes the 42nd channel to commit to joining Sky's HD line-up, following news that ITV 1HD, Sky News HD, Sky Sports HD 4 and Hallmark Channel HD are all to launch in the months ahead. Sky is aiming to have 50 HD channels by Christmas.

Charles Constable, Five's Director of Strategy, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for Five. Our programme schedule is more suited to HD than any other major free-to-air commercial broadcaster given the wide range of high quality series we broadcast. We're delighted to begin our HD journey with Sky."

Hilary Perchard, Sky's Director of Product Management, commented: "We're delighted to announce the addition of Five HD to Sky+HD, the UK's leading high definition service. Sky remains committed to delivering customers the best HD service available, and this means continuing to launch high-quality channels right across the schedule.”

As Europe's most comprehensive HD service, 2.1 million Sky+HD homes can currently access up to 37 HD channels spanning entertainment, sports, movies, arts, drama, kids and documentaries, including channel brands such as Sky Sports, Sky Movies, FX, Discovery, Channel 4, Sky Arts, MTV, Nat Geo, ESPN, Disney, the BBC and Sky1.

The Sky+HD box not only provides access to Europe's most comprehensive HD service and Sky's new HD electronic programme guide (EPG), but later this year it will also offer customers access to full broadband-enabled video-on-demand service and Sky 3D, Europe's first 3D TV channel. Sky intends to launch Sky 3D to pubs and clubs in April before reaching residential homes later this year.

-End-

Notes to editors
Five HD will be available without additional subscription to viewers with Sky+HD boxes, a Sky viewing card and an HD-ready television set.

About Sky
Sky operates the most comprehensive multichannel, multi-platform television service in the UK and Ireland. Over 9.7 million homes enjoy an unprecedented choice of movies, news, entertainment and sports channels. Sky continues to break new ground with its own portfolio of channels: Sky1 combines its commitment to UK production with the best of the US; Sky Arts continues to embrace new audiences as the UK's only dedicated arts channel brand; Sky Sports is still raising the bar in sports broadcasting; and Sky News remains a pioneer in multiplatform television news.

Almost 6.5 million Sky homes now enjoy the control and flexibility of Sky+ and 2.1 million homes have already joined Sky+HD, which provides access up to 37 dedicated HD channels and future innovative services such broadband-enabled video-on-demand and 3D TV.

Sky Extends High Definition Leadership with HD Channel Milestone

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:53:24 GMT

Sky will reach a new High Definition (HD) milestone this summer by exceeding the 40 HD channel mark. The launch of ITV1 HD, Hallmark Channel HD and Sky Sports HD 4 will extend Sky's HD leadership to 40 HD channels, five times more than any other HD service. Sky will also be launching Europe's first HD news channel, Sky News HD, in the coming months, which will further increase the channel count.

The addition of ITV1 HD from 2nd April means Sky+HD homes across in England and Wales will be able to watch World Cup matches live in HD, as well as other major ITV shows such as Law and Order: UK, The Prisoner, Foyles War, Lewis, Survival with Ray Mears, and Britain's Got Talent.

Hallmark Channel HD will showcase a range of its most popular titles in HD for the first time, including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Without A Trace. The channel will join the Sky platform on the 28th June.

Launching on 29th April, Sky Sports HD 4 will enable Sky Sports to build on its 9,200 hours a year of live sport in HD. This year will be the busiest ever for HD content on Sky Sports, with the schedule including The Ryder Cup, The Ashes, Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Heineken Cup and Guinness Premiership rugby plus US Open tennis.

Hilary Perchard, Sky's Director of Product Management, commented: "It's great news for customers that we are making our HD channel pack even better value with more high quality channels. We're seeing record demand for HD, both in terms of the number of customers signing up for Sky+HD and the amount of HD programmes they are watching. While other TV platforms are only now recognising the growing demand for HD, we're excited to extend our leadership even further by offering more choice to our customers. We look forward to reaching our next milestone, of 50 HD channels, by Christmas."

Peter Fincham, ITV Director of Television, Channels and Online, said: "The availability of high definition content is something viewers have come to expect as standard and, as we approach the 2010 World Cup, I'm delighted that we are able to launch our new channel, ITV1 HD, on Sky."

Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, added: "Sky Sports HD 4 gives our viewers even more choice in high definition sports coverage. Since May 2006 we've covered 15 sports in HD and this channel will allow us to accommodate the quality programming our subscribers expect."

-End-

Almost 6.5 million Sky homes no

Sky to make TV history with the launch of 3D TV

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:38:19 GMT

Sky has announced that it will launch Sky 3D, Europe's first dedicated 3D TV channel, this April. As part of the final preparations for this ground-breaking launch, Sky will preview the new service with a world first on Sunday 31 January 2010, becoming the first TV company anywhere to broadcast a live 3D TV sports event to a public audience. The Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester United will be filmed in 3D and broadcast over the Sky platform to selected pubs around the UK and Ireland, with their customers becoming the first audiences anywhere in the world to experience live Premier League in 3D.

To support this landmark broadcast, the nine pubs – located in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin - have been kitted out specially with some of the first '3D Ready' TV sets to reach the UK and Ireland. As 3D TVs become more widely available, Sky will roll out its 3D channel to hundreds of pubs from April, allowing football fans across the country the opportunity to experience a live Premier League match in 3D each week.

Once 3D TVs begin to reach the consumer market later this year, Sky will then make Sky 3D available to all Sky+HD customers, giving millions of people the opportunity to watch a wide range of content in 3D, including movies, sport, documentaries, entertainment, and the arts.

Sky 3D works with all existing Sky+HD boxes and will initially be introduced at no extra cost for customers who subscribe to Sky's top TV package and the Sky HD pack. Sky 3D will also be compatible with all 3D Ready TVs coming to the UK and Ireland this year, including all models from Sony, Samsung, LG and Panasonic.

To make the 3D preview a reality, Sky Sports will produce two edits of its live coverage of Sunday's game at the Emirates Stadium, one for its HD channel feed and another dedicated to 3D. Eight specially engineered 3D camera rigs will house sixteen of Sky's high definition cameras, to provide comprehensive stereoscopic coverage from all angles. The 3D broadcast will be supported by Sky's dedicated 3D production team and purpose built 3D outside broadcast truck, which will enable live mixing between camera positions, slow motion replays and the use of innovative 3D graphics. There will also be a dedicated commentary team to support the 3D edit.

Jeremy Darroch, Sky's chief executive, said: "3D is without doubt one of the most talked-about developments in television for many years. Sky has always innovated to bring customers the best possible viewing experience, so we fully intend to take the lead in bringing the spectacle of 3D to the UK and Ireland."

About Sky
Sky is the UK's leading entertainment and communications company, operating the most comprehensive multi-channel television service. More than 9.7 million homes enjoy the entertainment, movies, news and sports channels. In delivering entertainment through the TV, PC and mobile, customers have more control and flexibility over what, how and when they watch. Over 2 million enjoy the picture and sound quality of Sky+HD which offers 37 dedicated HD channels.

Sky+HD customers can record at the touch of a button, record two channels while watching a third previously recorded programme, automatically record new episodes of a favourite series, pause and rewind live TV and remote record. Customers can also watch Sky Anytime – a selection of the weeks best TV available on demand offering up to 90 hours of HD programming. HD ready TV with Sky+HD is Supertelly.

Sky+ reveals X-Factor beats BBC Sports Personality Of The Year

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:55:46 GMT

Sky+ has reported 1.1 million TV addicts made full use of their Sky+ and Sky+HD boxes to deal with one of the toughest TV viewing decisions of the year and avoid missing the X Factor Final and the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year which both took place on the 13th December.

ITV1 aired X Factor - The Final between 7:30pm - 9:30pm clashing with BBC's Sports Personality of the Year, showing between 7pm and 9pm, forcing viewers to choose between the two. However, data released by Sky shows that 1.057 million households chose to set their Sky+ and Sky+HD boxes to record either show. Eight hundred and ninety two thousand (892,000) viewers chose to set their Sky+ boxes to see Joe McElderry crowned X Factor champion for 2009. Whilst 165,000 viewers recorded Ryan Giggs being crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year via their Sky+ and Sky+HD boxes.

Figures also show that the Sports Personality of the Year was watched by more men than woman both live (556,000 vs. 443,000) and via Sky+ (93,000 vs. 72,000), indicating women won the battle of the remote to watch the X Factor final live.

A Sky TV spokesperson commented: "Scheduling clashes like this are what Sky+ was made for, allowing fans to watch every second of their favourite shows. When the X Factor and Sports Personality of the Year came up against each other this weekend, almost 1.1 million Sky+ and Sky+HD users had enjoyed the shows by Monday morning."

ENDS

Notes to Editors
Data: BARB/TNS, based on Individuals in Sky homes (MCH panel), Live + VOSDAL Overnights Data (inc. any Sky+/V+ playback where applicable)
*PVR playback within Sky homes on the same day as broadcast only

About Sky
Sky is the UK's leading entertainment and communications company, operating the most comprehensive multi-channel television service. Over 9.4 million homes - a third of households across the UK and Ireland - enjoy the entertainment, movies, news and sports channels. In delivering entertainment through the TV, PC and mobile, customers have more control and flexibility over what, how and when they watch. Almost 5.5 million customers now choose Sky+, Sky's digital video recorder, to record and store their favourite programmes and 1.3 million enjoy the picture and sound quality of Sky+HD, which offers 35 dedicated HD channels. Sky is also the UK's fastest growing broadband and fixed-telephony provider with over 2.2 million customers taking Sky Broadband and over 1.8 million customers taking Sky Talk.

Sky awards LivePerson online business partner of the year accolade

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:34:46 GMT

LivePerson, Inc., a provider of online engagement solutions that facilitate real-time assistance and expert advice, has announced that it has been awarded the Online Business Partner of the Year award by British Sky Broadcasting (BSKYB), operator of the United Kingdom's largest digital pay television platform and fastest growing broadband provider. The award was presented during BSkyB's annual SKY Awards ceremony in November, at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales.

A major annual event, BSkyB's Shine Sky Awards ceremony recognises vendors and partners who have contributed to the company's continued growth and success across its various sales channels. Over 2500 companies were nominated across 12 different categories, with 50 being shortlisted to receive a potential award. In order to be shortlisted for the Online Business Partner of the Year Award, the partner must have delivered the strongest planning, sales, analysis, optimisation and innovation for the company's online sales channel.

For Sky Online, LivePerson's intelligent, real-time engagement solution proactively targets the right visitor with the right message at the right time in order to maximize incremental sales opportunities. The LivePerson solution is a key element of Sky’s conversion rate improvement and online sales strategy.

"We are pleased to recognize the LivePerson team for surpassing online business expectations in 2009," said John Orriss, Sky's Director of Customer Growth and Sales. "The Liveperson programme is key to our efforts to continually optimise customer journeys and online conversion as such this award is well deserved."

"It's an honour to be recognized by BSkyB as the partner who contributed most to their online sales performance over the past year," said LivePerson CEO, Robert LoCascio. "I am proud that we were able to deliver such dramatic results for BSkyB's online sales channel and look forward to continued success with the company's online initiatives in the future."

About LivePerson
LivePerson is a provider of online engagement solutions that facilitate real-time assistance and expert advice. Connecting businesses and experts with consumers seeking help on the Web, LivePerson's hosted software platform creates more relevant, compelling and personalized online experiences. Every month, LivePerson's intelligent platform helps millions of people succeed online. More than 8,000 companies, including EarthLink, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, Qwest, and Verizon, rely on LivePerson to maximize the impact of the online channel. LivePerson is headquartered in New York City.

About Sky TV
Sky is the UK’s leading entertainment and communications company, operating the most comprehensive multi-channel television service. Over 9.4 million homes - a third of households across the UK and Ireland - enjoy the entertainment, movies, news and sports channels. In delivering entertainment through the TV, PC and mobile, customers have more control and flexibility over what, how and when they watch. Almost 5.5 million customers now choose Sky+, Sky's digital video recorder, to record and store their favourite programmes and 1.3 million enjoy the picture and sound quality of Sky+HD, which offers 35 dedicated HD channels. Sky is also the UK's fastest growing broadband and fixed-telephony provider with over 2.2 million customers taking Sky Broadband and over 1.8 million customers taking Sky Talk.

Sky Songs giving away free album download to Sun readers

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:28:02 GMT

Sky Songs has teamed up with The Sun to offer every reader a completely free digital album or ten free songs to download, in what is set to be the nation's biggest ever digital music giveaway*

The offer gives The Sun's music loving readers access to the massive collection of music on Sky Songs from some of the greatest artists from the past and present, across all major record companies and a comprehensive range of independent labels.

With over 150,000 albums and four million songs to pick from, readers can download ten songs free - or a complete album worth £6.49 - to keep forever as part of their digital music collection, as well access to unlimited ad-free music streaming for 30 days through Sky Songs**. To take advantage of this offer, readers will need to enter credit or debit card details however it is completely free of charge and readers can simply opt out at any stage before the end of the 30 day period with no long term commitment.

All mp3 downloads from Sky Songs work on iPods, compatible phones and any MP3 player. Sky Songs is also integrated with Windows Media Player and iTunes and a range of other music management applications so that anything downloaded is automatically added to readers' existing music collections.

To access the MP3 music download offer, readers need to collect three out of six promotional codes printed in the paper.

About Sky Songs:
Sky Songs is an innovative new online music service from Sky, available to any consumer in the UK with an active broadband connection, no matter what their internet service provider. This fantastic new service offers access to over four million songs for mp3 downloads and unlimited ad-free streaming. Sky Songs is a flexible service with no long term commitment.

ENDS

Notes to editors
*Estimated scale of promotion is based on The Sun's circulation of c.3million paper sales daily – the UK's largest daily newspaper
** To download the free album or 10 songs plus 30 days of free streaming readers must install the Sky Songs music download manager application (free).

Exclusions apply. Full terms and conditions can be found in The Sun and on the Sky Songs website. Readers have until midnight on Saturday 14th November to claim their free credits, but once an account has been set up, they will have 30 days before they expire.

Sky Movies announces free weekend pass

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:22:02 GMT

Sky Movies has announced a weekend of free movies allowing all Sky TV customers to watch premium Sky Movies content, free of charge from 6pm on Friday the 30 October until 6am on Monday the 2 November.

Sky Movies Screen 1 and Screen 1 HD will be available for the duration of the weekend giving all Sky TV subscribers the chance to watch their favourite movies uninterrupted, unedited and all in glorious high definition.

The Free Weekend Pass will allow viewers to watch a selection of current Sky Movies favourites such as Atonement, Enchanted and The Incredible Hulk as well as all time classics like The Usual Suspects, The Godfather and Sleepless in Seattle. All the movies in the weekend will be available in both standard and high definition.

Ian Lewis, director of Sky Movies, said: "We want to show Sky TV subscribers what a fantastic variety of films we have on Sky Movies. The line-up for the weekend is great and shows what an extensive breadth of content we have on the channel."

As well as the films Sky Movies will screen a selection of exclusive interviews with some of Hollywood’s hottest names including Ricky Gervais and Jim Carrey; viewers will also be able to watch the first two episodes from Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season Two.

From 26 October, the Sky Movies HD service will have a total of 10 HD channels available, showing more HD film content than any other UK broadcaster.

ENDS

Note to Editors
Sky Movies offers UK television’s widest choice of films, giving customers choice and flexibility over what they watch, when and how – whether in HD, on PC or mobile. It shows 450 different films a week across 21 multiplex screens including 10 HD screens – 10 more than anyone else. Through links with every major film studio it offers nine out of 10 of the top box office films – with five Sky Movies premieres every week. Well over two million films have been downloaded via Sky’s VOD service, Sky Player, and Sky Movies Magazine – produced by the makers of Total Film, has one of the largest circulations of any magazine in Europe

The free movies weekend is available to Sky TV customers only

Sky Movies Screen 1 appears on 311 in Sky EPG and Screen 1 HD appears on 314 in Sky EPG

Only Sky HD customers will be able to watch the Sky Movies Screen 1 HD

About Sky
Sky is the UK's leading entertainment and communications company, operating the most comprehensive multi-channel television service. Over 9.4 million homes - a third of households across the UK and Ireland - enjoy the entertainment, movies, news and sports channels. In delivering entertainment through the TV, PC and mobile, customers have more control and flexibility over what, how and when they watch. Almost 5.5 million customers now choose Sky+, Sky's digital video recorder, to record and store their favourite programmes and 1.3 million enjoy the picture and sound quality of Sky+HD, which offers 33 dedicated HD channels. Sky is also the UK's fastest growing broadband and fixed-telephony provider with more than 2.2 million customers taking Sky Broadband and more than1.8 million customers taking Sky Talk.

Sky+HD reveals the science behind movie tears

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:58:18 GMT

A new study by Sky+HD and Professor Kim A. Bard from the University of Portsmouth has revealed the science behind why movies have us reaching the tissues.

Through identifying the key factors which set tears rolling, Professor Bard can now unveil the top ten movie tearjerkers of all time with 'Beaches' taking the top spot and explain how watching them in more detail in high definition can make us cry even more.

Professor Bard, a psychologist at the Centre of the Study of Emotion at the University of Portsmouth, analysed a selection of movies in both HD and standard definition identifying four key triggers that set lips quivering and eyes streaming. These include how often the characters wept (Tear Count), the overall sadness of the movie (Sadness Index) and the underlying positive message of the film (Inspirational Index), all moderated by the degree of happiness experienced (Happy Highs). Her study also revealed how, when used in the right combination, these elements can produce an intensive emotional experience and that is intensified even further when movies are watched in high definition.

Professor Bard said: "Watching tearjerkers in high definition is more emotive than standard viewing because with high definition the actions of the face associated with sadness and with teariness are much more clearly evident.

"This ranges from the very subtle drawing in and downward movements of the inner eyebrows and the glistening of tears, to the more obvious full crying face. In high definition, each teardrop as well as the tracks of tears streaming down the face are more visible, engendering sadness and even tears in ourselves through the dual process of facial mimicry, where we mimic the character’s expression on our own face, leading to emotion contagion, where we feel the associated emotion to the expression being mimicked."

Beaches came out at the top of the survey followed closely by The Colour Purple, Schindler's List and Philadelphia.

Michelle Golding from Sky+HD said: "There’s no better way to watch a movie at home than in high definition. Sky+HD doesn’t just make images clearer, it makes the whole experience more intense."

About Sky
Sky TV operates the most comprehensive multichannel, multi-platform television service in the UK and Ireland. More than 9.4 million homes enjoy an unprecedented choice of movies, news, entertainment and sports channels. Sky continues to break new ground with its own portfolio of channels: Sky Movies, Sky1 combines its commitment to UK production with the best of the US; Sky Arts continues to embrace new audiences as the UK's only dedicated arts channel brand; Sky Sports is still raising the bar in sports broadcasting; and Sky News remains a pioneer in multiplatform television news.

More than 5 million Sky homes now enjoy the control and flexibility of Sky+ and 1.3 million homes have already joined Sky+HD, which provides access to 34 dedicated HD channels. Sky is also the UK's fastest growing broadband and fixed-telephony provider.

PR Contact:
Victoria Etaghene
BSKYB
Grant Way
Isleworth
Middlesex
TW7 5QD
0207 705 3000
sky.com

Sky launches Sky Songs

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:36:58 GMT

Sky has announced the launch of Sky Songs, a new online music service that offers users access to over four million tracks available to download or stream online.

Every track featured in Sky Songs is available via unlimited online streaming and as mp3 files that can be downloaded and stored and used on any mp3 compatible device. The service, which launches on the 19th October 2009, will be available to any consumer in the UK with an active broadband connection.

The service launches with new releases and back catalogues from every major music label (EMI, Sony, Universal and Warner), plus a comprehensive range of independent labels and distributors.

Sky Songs offers users unlimited music streaming, plus download-to-own tracks and albums. Customers can also purchase additional music on a per-track or per-album basis.

Mike Darcey, Sky's Chief Operating Officer, comments: "Our music partners bring an outstanding catalogue and unrivalled expertise that complements Sky's strengths in content distribution. Sky Songs will reach out to consumers who want legitimate digital services offering choice, ease of use and great value. Offering legal access to digital music is a vital step in combating illegal downloading.

To celebrate the launch, all Sky broadband customers who access the site will receive a free downloadable album.

- Ends -

Notes for editors:
Sky Songs includes new release and back catalogue material from EMI, Sony Music Entertainment UK, Warner Music UK and Universal Music Group, plus a range of independent labels and distributors - including the Beggars Group (representing 4AD, Rough Trade, Matador and XL Recordings), PIAS Entertainment Group (representing over 100 leading independent labels), The Orchard, IODA and VidZone Digital Media. Sky Songs is licensed by PRS for Music in the UK.

About Sky
Sky operates the most comprehensive multichannel, multi-platform television service in the UK and Ireland. Over 9.4 million homes enjoy an unprecedented choice of movies, news, entertainment and sports channels. Sky continues to break new ground with its own portfolio of channels: Sky1 combines its commitment to UK production with the best of the US; Sky Arts continues to embrace new audiences as the UK's only dedicated arts channel brand; Sky Sports is still raising the bar in sports broadcasting; and Sky News remains a pioneer in multiplatform television news.

Over 5 million Sky homes now enjoy the control and flexibility of Sky+ and 1.3 million homes have already joined Sky+HD, which provides access to 34 dedicated HD channels. Sky is also the UK's fastest growing broadband and fixed-telephony provider.

Sky+ saves 2 million Saturday nights

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:19:35 GMT

Sky revealed this week that almost 2 million reality TV addicts made full use of their Sky+ and Sky+HD boxes as the much-publicised scheduling clash last Saturday between X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing gave fans of both shows a tough choice.

With X Factor on ITV1 at 8pm – 9.15pm on Saturday 19th September, and Strictly Come Dancing on BBC 1 from 7.25pm – 9.05pm, fans were forced to choose between the two. However, data released by Sky shows that 1.9 million households chose to set their Sky+ boxes to record either show, allowing them not to miss the top-rated Saturday night programmes.

Figures also show that not only did X Factor win the live ratings battle, with 9.3 million viewers compared to Strictly Come Dancing’s 7.7 million, but was also the preferred choice of Sky+ users. Over 1.2 million people chose to watch X Factor at a later time via Sky+, whilst around half that amount (686,000) set their Sky+ boxes for Strictly Come Dancing*.

A Sky spokesperson commented: "Scheduling clashes like this are what Sky+ was made for. It’s great we’ve been able to save two million people from a difficult decision and enabled them to watch every second of their favourite shows."

It will be interesting to see who will win the battle this weekend.

ENDS
Notes to Editors

Data: BARB/TNS, based on individuals in all homes (Network panel)/individuals in Sky homes (MCH panel), Partly Consolidated Overnights Data (inc. any Sky+/V+ playback where applicable)
*PVR playback within Sky homes after 2 days only

About Sky:
Sky is the UK’s leading entertainment and communications company, operating the most comprehensive multi-channel television service. Over 9.4 million homes - a third of households across the UK and Ireland - enjoy the entertainment, movies, news and sports channels. In delivering entertainment through the TV, PC and mobile, customers have more control and flexibility over what, how and when they watch. Almost 5.5 million customers now choose Sky+, Sky’s digital video recorder, to record and store their favourite programmes and 1.3 million enjoy the picture and sound quality of Sky+HD, which offers 33 dedicated HD channels. Sky is also the UK’s fastest growing broadband and fixed-telephony provider with over 2.2 million customers taking Sky Broadband and over 1.8 million customers taking Sky Talk.

Sky launches free weekend pass

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:40:58 GMT

Sky has revealed poll results indicating that forgetful Brits spend ONE MONTH of their lives looking for the television remote control. The poll was conducted to coincide with the launch of Sky's Free Weekend Pass.

The Sky Free Weekend Pass means that for the first time ever, from 18th-20th September anyone with Freeview, cable or Sky TV can sample the best of Sky TV on free-to-air channel Sky3, with a range of shows from popular pay TV channels like: Sky1, Sky Sports, MTV, Disney, LIVING, FX, National Geographic Channel, Home, Sky Movies and Sky Arts.

To launch the Free Weekend Pass, Sky polled 4,000 Brits about their remote control habits and found that the average telly viewer loses the zapper an average of 3.2 times a week and spends more than four minutes looking for it each time.

That means each week viewers spend 15 minutes hunting for the pesky little device - nearly 13 hours each year - or 31 DAYS during the average adult lifetime.

Kathryn Drought from Sky's Free Weekend Pass said: "The remote control is such a well-used item in the nation's homes but it's one of those things people are forever trying to find - normally down the back of the sofa.

"The average zapper goes through a lot in its life - from being lost under a table, or in with the kids' toys, to being found in the fridge."

"TV plays such a big part in people's lives, it's not surprising who is in control of the remote is such a hot household topic".

The nationwide survey revealed some remarkable remote control politics that go on inside the typical home.

Careless house-holders have found the missing remote in a variety of places, including down the back of the sofa, under a cushion or seat.

But more unusual spots were also revealed, bizarrely inside the fridge, in the bin, kitchen cupboard or with the kids' toys.

The research found three in ten have hidden the remote from someone else and 17% have thrown it at someone in a fit of 'remote rage'.

Households have argued at least four times in the last month over the remote control, with having to watch football, channel hopping and soaps most likely to spark rifts.

One in five households argue over the remote when someone they can't stand appears on the TV - with Katie Price, Kerry Katona and Victoria Beckham being voted the celebs most likely to make people switch channel.

A whopping 62% said reality TV shows make them change channel. Big Brother was voted the most annoying programme, followed by Jeremy Kyle and X Factor.

Two thirds of respondents said that men are more possessive about the remote than women. And half said they feel much happier when they are in control of the remote.

The poll found Brits watch fours of TV a day, channel-hopping for at least eight minutes every hour.

The typical household has four remotes lying around the house and 60 per cent admit it being the household item they lose the most.

ENDS

About Sky:
Sky is the UK's leading entertainment and communications company, operating the most comprehensive multi-channel television service. Over 9.4 million homes - a third of households across the UK and Ireland - enjoy the entertainment, movies, news and sports channels. In delivering entertainment through the TV, PC and mobile, customers have more control and flexibility over what, how and when they watch. Almost 5.5 million customers now choose Sky+, Sky's digital video recorder, to record and store their favourite programmes and 1.3 million enjoy the picture and sound quality of Sky+HD, which offers 33 dedicated HD channels. Sky is also the UK's fastest growing broadband and fixed-telepho

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