Sky Gnome To Boost Radio Listening Through Satellite

Sky has announced details of its digital radio extender, dubbed the Sky Gnome, which allows customers to listen to digital radio throughout their homes, rather than through the Sky set-top box alone.

The new device, first announced at the Media Research Group conference in Madrid, will go on sale in October and will be compatible with all Sky boxes (see Sky Introduces New Products At MRG Conference).

The Gnome has a typical range in the home or garden of 30 metres, allowing more than 80 digital radio channels, and audio from television channels, to be enjoyed around the home without an additional subscription fee. In addition, Sky+ customers will be able to use the Gnome to listen to pre-recorded programmes on their Sky+ planner.

The new product boasts stereo sound, a backlit display with full channel and programme information, volume and channel control and the option to pre-set 10 favourite channels. The Gnome is also available in a choice of two colours, blue and orange, and comes uses rechargeable batteries to offer up to eight hours of listening time.

Brian Sullivan, BSkyB’s director of customer products and services, explained the positioning of the new product, stating: “The Gnome is a fun product that adds value and flexibility for Sky’s growing customer base. Like other enhancements such as Sky+ and the forthcoming broadband movies and sports offering, it forms part of BSkyB’s strategy to deliver great entertainment and choice through constant innovation.”

The Gnome is the first of several new devices due over the coming months. As Sky Media’s managing director, Nick Milligan, explained at last year’s MRG conference, the broadcaster has plans to introduce a portable video player, jokingly referred to as the ‘Skypod’, which will dock with Sky+ boxes to download recorded material.

Officially named Sky To Go, the device is expected to debut early next year, along with other offerings, such as a new system of remote recording , allowing Sky+ users to programme their personal video recorder by mobile phone (see Sky Introduces New Products At MRG Conference).

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