Now TV (UK)

Now TV
Original author(s) Sky plc
Developer(s) Sky plc
Initial release 17 July 2012 (2012-07-17)
Development status Active
Operating system

Windows (Windows 8.1 or later)
OS X (10.6 or later)
Android (2.3 or later)
iOS (6.0 or later)

Apple TV
Chromecast
LG Smart TV
Now TV Box
PlayStation 3
PlayStation 4
Roku
Roku Streaming Stick
Xbox 360
Xbox One
YouView
Available in English
Website www.nowtv.com

Now TV (stylised as NOW TV) is an internet television service owned by Sky plc. It was first announced in February 2012, and launched in the United Kingdom on 17 July 2012.[1] The service is available to watch via computer, various mobile devices, some game consoles and set-top boxes, with a Now TV branded box launched in July 2013. It is not viewable via Sky's digital satellite television service, or through the Sky Go Internet service.

History

Now TV commenced service in July 2012 by offering only films at first, adding sports in March 2013,[2] and entertainment channels in October 2013.[3][4] Film and entertainment channels are accessed by paying a monthly fee, and sports on an ad-hoc basis ("pay as you go"). Now TV is designed for people who have no existing pay TV service.[5]

Now TV is available on a number of different platforms providing access via both big-screen and small screen mobile devices:[6]

It is not currently available on the Amazon Fire TV set-top box. The service offers streams up to 720p resolution depending on the playback device and uses adaptive bitrate streaming to minimise disruption.

In January 2014, it was announced that ITV Hub would be made available on NOW TV box.[7]

Now TV Box

Main article: Roku

In July 2013 Sky launched a Now TV-branded Roku streaming box allowing users to stream Now TV content to their TV via an analogue base band connection or a HDMI, currently enabling it to display content from BBC iPlayer, All 4, My5, Spotify, ITV Hub and Sky News.[8] It has limited access to the Roku Channel Store and only a pre-approved list of Channels can be downloaded. A number of third-party channels can be side-loaded to the device using its Developer Mode.

On 6 August 2015 Sky launched the NOW TV Box 2 (based around a 2015 Roku 2) in black. It offers the same content as the original NOW TV (white) box, but has a faster processor, an ethernet port (as well as wi-fi), a USB port and an SD card slot (not functional by default), and is capable of outputting at full HD (1080p) resolution.[9] Unlike the original NOW TV Box, the NOW TV Box 2 does not have an analogue audio/video output socket.

Available content

As of October 2013 Now TV offers both live streaming and on-demand content from the following channels. Some programmes may not be available for live streaming due to rights restrictions.[10]

Sky Movies month pass

Sky Sports day/week/month pass

Sports channels offer live streaming only.

Entertainment month pass

References

  1. ↑ "BSkyB Corporate | Now's the time for NOW TV". Corporate.sky.com. 2012-07-16. Retrieved 2014-04-15.
  2. ↑ "Pay-as-you-go Sky Sports comes to NOW TV". Corporate.sky.com. 2013-03-19. Retrieved 2014-04-15.
  3. ↑ Skipworth, Hunter (2013-10-29). "New Sky Now TV package brings Sky 1 access and more". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2013-10-29.
  4. ↑ "BBC News - Sky announces details of NowTV internet TV service". Bbc.co.uk. 2012-03-21. Retrieved 2014-04-15.
  5. ↑ Stallard, Katie (2012-07-17). "No Dish, No Contract - Sky Launches NOW TV". News.sky.com. Retrieved 2014-04-15.
  6. ↑ "Supported Devices for NOW TV". Now TV. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
  7. ↑ "ITV announces new drama pay channel Encore for Sky - TV News". Digital Spy. 2014-01-29. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  8. ↑ Lawler, Richard. "Sky's Now TV box is a £9.99 Roku clone that streams iPlayer and more". Engadget.com. Retrieved 2014-04-15.
  9. ↑ http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/134825-now-tv-box-2015-vs-now-tv-box-vs-roku-2-what-s-the-difference
  10. ↑ "Watch Movies, Films & Sports Online - NOW TV". Help.nowtv.com. 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2014-04-15.
  11. ↑ Langshaw, Mark (24 July 2014). "NOW TV adds Nickelodeon and Nick Jnr to Entertainment Month Pass". Digital Spy. Retrieved 30 July 2014.

External links

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