Sky announces an agreement with IP Vision to make its online TV service, Sky Player, available via IP Vision’s Fetch TV devices. From early 2010, the deal will allow customers to receive some of Sky’s most popular channels, including Sky Movies, Sky Sports and a range of general entertainment channels, through Fetch TV’s broadband-enabled set-top boxes. These boxes also offer access to Freeview channels and the BBC iPlayer and can be used across any broadband service provider.

The agreement supports Sky’s goals of making its content available on a broad range of platforms and offering customers more choice as to how they access Sky content. In addition, the deal demonstrates IP Vision’s strategy of partnering with third party providers to allow customers access to a wide range of high quality content via their Fetch TV box.

Fetch TV harnesses Digital Terrestrial Television with a range of IP-supported linear and on-demand services. The Fetch TV SmartBox connects to any broadband connection, and is a Freeview+ unit allowing users to record, pause and rewind live TV. Fetch TV currently provides access to a range of web video services delivered via the broadband connection, including the BBC iPlayer and Fetch TV’s own video-on-demand service, which offers both pay-per-view and subscription content.

Sky Player will be a standalone service on the Fetch TV box, offering a range of live TV channels and associated on demand programming from a variety of leading broadcasters. As with access to Sky Player via PC, Mac and, from later this year, Xbox, existing Sky TV customers will be able to access a range of content for no extra cost based on their core subscription, whilst non-Sky customers will be able to sign up to a choice of TV packages via a monthly subscription paid directly to Sky.

Griff Parry, Director of On Demand, Sky, comments: “Sky is committed to offering customers more ways to access our content and our agreement with IP Vision represents an important step in that process. Offering Sky Player through the Fetch TV box gives UK consumers yet another way to experience Sky content, complementing the services already available on satellite, PC, games consoles and mobile.

“It also demonstrates the continued development of innovative IP-enabled video services. As more and more commercial players harness broadband distribution to extend consumer choice, there’s an opportunity for all content owners to reach new audiences. Sky will continue to look to support new, secure delivery platforms as this fast and dynamic sector evolves.”

Eddie Abrams, Chief Executive Officer, IP Vision, adds: “The deal we have signed with Sky further cements Fetch TV’s position as a major innovator for Freeview and over-the-top technologies in the UK. It allows our customers to access some of the most exciting sports and entertainment content available today, either as part of their existing Sky subscription or via a month-by-month subscription if they are new to Sky. Sky’s content is second to none and we are delighted to make it available to Fetch TV users. I am pleased that we continue to lead the way in delivering online content, both free-to-air and pay, directly to Freeview households.”