Sky to add Netflix to its pay-TV bundles in Europe

Sky is set to create a new entertainment TV package for UK customers this year

Josie Cox
Thursday 01 March 2018 10:34 GMT
Comments
Customers will be able to watch Netflix originals such as ‘The Crown’ alongside Sky content
Customers will be able to watch Netflix originals such as ‘The Crown’ alongside Sky content

Sky has announced that it is teaming up with Netflix in Europe, giving customers access to the hugely successful streaming service through its platform.

On Thursday, the company, which is at the centre of a fierce takeover battle, said it would create a new entertainment TV package, which will combine content from Sky and Netflix and give viewers the chance to watch HBO, Showtime and Sky Atlantic series, such as Billions, Big Little Lies and Britannia, in the same place as Netfilx originals like The Crown, Stranger Things and Black Mirror.

Netflix is the world’s largest internet entertainment service, with around 117 million customers in more than 190 countries who have access to more than 140 million hours of TV shows and films every day.

It’s surge in popularity has dealt a sharp blow to the competitiveness of other broadcast providers, including 21st Century Fox and US cable giant Comcast, which are both bidding to takeover Sky.

Sky chief executive Jeremy Darroch said the deal would extend his company’s leadership in “delivering customers the best viewing and user experience in Europe”.

Reed Hastings, chief executive of Netflix, said that he was “delighted” with the tie-up.

“With this innovative new partnership and Netflix’s stellar line up of original content from across the world, Sky’s customers will be able to seamlessly access and enjoy all the best entertainment in one place,” he said.

Sky said that it would launch Netflix on its premium Sky Q product in Britain and Ireland over the coming year and in Germany, Austria and Italy thereafter.

Earlier this week, Comcast launched its bid for Sky, rivalling that of Rupert Murdoch’s Fox, which was originally announced in December 2016.

The owner of NBC said its offer would value Sky at £22.1bn – a 16 per cent premium on the existing offer from Fox.

Comcast said a combination would bring “attractive financial benefits” for its shareholders and praised Sky for its scale and market dominance. Sky has around 23 million customers globally and occupies a leading position in the UK, as well as in Italy and Germany.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in