Press Association
Thursday 24th May 2012
Film and television fans are set for greater competition in the home entertainment market after the world's biggest internet streaming service has launched in the UK.
US giant Netflix, which has already signed up 20 million members worldwide since launching its online streaming service in 2007, streams movies and shows online to TVs and computers for a monthly subscription.
It will offer unlimited access to local and global films and TV programmes for a monthly fee of £5.99.
In its bid to compete in the UK with well-established services such as Amazon-owned LoveFilm and BSkyB, the Nasdaq-listed business is offering film fans a free one-month trial and has signed digital licensing deals with the BBC and Hollywood studios such as MGM, Miramax and Lionsgate.
Meanwhile, BSkyB announced it is entering a "strategic partnership" with television app service zeebox.
The service, which will be made available to Sky customers in the first half of this year, helps viewers talk about and get additional information on their favourite TV programmes using smartphones and tablets, and social media such as Facebook and Twitter.
Later in the year the app will allow Sky+ users to manage recordings remotely and use their iPhone or iPad as a remote control for their Sky box.
Emma Lloyd, Sky's director of emerging products, said: "Sky took an early position of leadership with companion devices, having recognised the demand from our customers to use second screens to discover, enjoy and interact with their favourite content.
"We know that millions of our customers have smartphones and tablets and regularly use them to engage with Sky on mobile devices, so it's a natural next step for us."
