Sky launched new tool on Twitter to let its customers watch or record TV shows, sporting events and movies by clicking icons within Tweets

LONDON, 18-4-2014 — /EuropaWire/ — Sky has started to trial #WatchOnSky, a brand new tool on Twitter that lets Sky customers watch or record TV shows, sporting events and movies by simply clicking icons contained within a Tweet.

Twitter users who see #WatchOnSky on Tweets from Sky can expand the Tweet and tap on an icon that directly links to Sky’s mobile TV service Sky Go to start watching the show. Alternatively they can tap the Sky+ ‘R’ to remotely set their Sky+HD box to record. The launch of #WatchOnSky marks the first time that a British broadcaster has created a service which lets users access live TV and set recordings via their Twitter timeline.

The new service builds on the popular Sky Go and Sky+ apps that give Sky TV customers more control of their TV viewing. The Sky+ app lets customers flick through hundreds of channels and record upcoming shows, as well as browse through thousands of hours of on demand TV and movies to download to their Sky+HD box. Sky Go lets customers watch up to 54 channels on their mobile devices – the widest selection of channels available on the move from any provider in the UK.

Luke Bradley-Jones, Brand Director, TV Products, Sky comments: “#WatchOnSky is another brilliantly simple way for our customers to find and watch the shows everyone is talking about. By simply clicking on a Tweet, customers can either instantly watch live TV or record shows for later. It’s all part of our commitment to make it even easier for our customers to discover great TV and make sure they never miss those virtual water cooler moments.”

Dan Biddle, Head of Broadcast, Twitter UK adds: “Twitter users love to talk about TV shows, joining conversations about their favourite programmes with other fans across the UK. #WatchOnSky is a really exciting development that will make it even easier than ever for Twitter users to spot social buzz about a show, and tune in or record it for later. We’re delighted to see Sky innovating with this service and look forward to seeing Twitter users enjoy this functionality.”

#WatchOnSky will appear across Sky’s Twitter feeds including @SkyHD and @SkyAtlantic for key shows, sporting events and movies on Sky. The functionality was developed in-house by Sky for Twitter. Customers can find out more at sky.com/watchonSkyTwitter

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For more information & imagery:
Amy Holland, Sky, amy.holland@bskyb.com

About Sky
Sky is the UK and Ireland’s leading home entertainment and communications company.  Around 40% of all homes have a direct relationship with Sky through its range of TV, broadband and home telephony services.

Sky is the UK’s biggest investor in television content, investing more than £2.5 billion a year in channels such as Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Sky Arts, Sky Sports, Sky Movies and Sky News.   Around two-thirds of Sky’s content spend is invested in the UK and Sky is the fastest-growing source of investment in original British programmes.  More than 30 million people watch Sky content each week.

Alongside its commitment to offering customers a greater choice of high-quality content, Sky is a leading innovator.  Customers enjoy total control and flexibility over their favourite TV through Sky+, watch TV on the move through Sky Go, and enjoy the best quality TV experience at home through High Definition and 3D.

Sky distributes its content broadly over several platforms, including satellite, cable, IPTV, mobile and WiFi.  NOW TV, Sky’s second consumer brand, builds on the company’s leadership in internet TV.  Sky is also the UK’s fastest-growing home communications company and favourite ‘triple-play’ provider of TV, broadband and home phone.

Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates by taking positive action on the environment, supporting grassroots sports and increasing access to, and participation in, the arts.  Sky employs 24,000 people, has annual revenues of £7.2 billion and is estimated to support a £5.9 billion contribution to UK GDP.  Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (BSY).

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Sky launched new tool on Twitter to let its customers watch or record TV shows, sporting events and movies by clicking icons within Tweets