Sky Player coming to Freeview TVs, STBs

Sky has confirmed that its Sky Player web-TV service will launch on selected Freeview set top boxes and connected-TVs following deals with 3View and Cello.

LCD TV manufacturer Cello launched the iViewer service last year to enable TV users to access online media without need for a receiver, games console or PC.

3View produces a range of personal video recorders and set top boxes offering combined access to internet video and digital terrestrial television broadcasts.

The two companies will now offer Sky Player's live and on-demand premium content as a pay-TV option on their Freeview consumer electronics products.

Existing Sky TV customers will be able to access the content on a "bonus basis" depending on their Sky product subscriptions, while non-Sky customers will need to sign up to a range of pay-monthly TV packages.

The deals with Cello and 3View are part of Sky's ongoing strategy to expand the distribution of Sky Player, including deals with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and IP Vision's FetchTV.

"The coming together of ground-breaking video services like Sky Player with innovative platforms like Cello and 3View demonstrates the vibrancy of the evolving internet video on-demand sector," said Sky's director of on-demand Griff Parry.

"We will continue to look at opportunities to distribute Sky Player across new platforms, to give consumers even more choice and control over how they access high-quality pay-TV content."

John Donovan, managing director of 3View, added: "3View combines the latest free TV with fantastic internet content, so the deal with Sky Player is a perfect fit for us. Sky is using the power of the Internet to deliver quality content in an intelligent and consumer friendly way.

"By offering Sky Player on 3View's simple to use, broadband connected set top box, we are giving Sky access to a whole new market. Not only this, but it provides 3View users with access to a great range of movies, sport and other Sky programmes."