Sky Targets Mobiles In Content Push
BSkyB has announced the launch of a new mobile data service, allowing users to access the latest sports, news and weather information from its various channels and websites via their mobile phone handset.
The new service, available to users regardless of their network provider, allows access to Sky’s entire mobile content portfolio in a single, integrated application. As well as offering traditional text and pictures, tSky Mobile also packs video content on the move at the touch of a button.
Amongst the content initially available are the latest news stories and video updates from Sky News and Sky Sports; live scoreboards, giving play-by-play accounts of top sports events; tables, fixtures and results for key sports; a custom “My Sports” section, where users can follow the sports, teams and events of their choice and weather forecasts from the Sky News Weather team, including regular video updates and a 24-hour outlook for around 100 UK cities.
The new service allows users to interact, as well as simply accessing information, with links to services including Skybet for round the clock gambling regardless of the user’s location.
The new service builds on Sky’s existing mobile activity, which includes agreements with Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile and 3 to deliver news and sports content via SMS, WAP, MMS and 3G video.
Explaining the expansion, Stephen Nuttall, BSkyB’s director of business development, said: “Sky Mobile brings customers the latest news, sport and weather in a convenient and easy-to-use format. This application allows us to build on existing customer relationships and reach consumers wherever they want to access Sky content.”
Sky Mobile uses a custom-built application for Symbian-based mobile phones, employing high-speed General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) or 3G connections to offer the best possible experience for users.
The popularity of such high-speed data services is growing rapidly in the UK, with recent figures from the Mobile Data Association showing a total active customer base of over 26 million at the end of last year, an increase of 10% on the previous quarter (see Mobile Internet And Picture Messaging Enjoy Massive Growth).
Elsewhere, several mobile operators have begun trialing TV via mobile applications, with Virgin Mobile the latest to roll out its experimental services. The company will operate a four-month trial of the technology within London, providing selected customers with content from partners such as Microsoft, Sky, Arqiva and GCap Media (see Virgin Prepares For Mobile TV Trial).
Sky: 08702 40 40 40 www.sky.com