BBC and Sky come together on iPlayer and Sounds

BBC iPlayer will appear on Sky for the first time as part of a flagship partnership deal struck between the two broadcasters that also includes the BBC trialling innovative personalisation technology.

After several years in which the two have been at loggerheads over how the BBC presents its catch-up services on Sky, iPlayer will now appear on the Sky Q platform and via red button on BBC channels.

iPlayer content can currently be viewed on Sky Q via catch-up.

The BBC will also begin using Sky’s PromoSmart technology, which will serve up personalised promotional content to BBC viewers in a similar vein to AdSmart – used by Channel 4 and Channel 5.

Viewers will be shown trailers for BBC content tailored to their own interests during breaks between programmes. The move leaves ITV as the only PSB not using AdSmart or PromoSmart.

The BBC said it is also in the early stages of integrating audio platform BBC Sounds onto VoD player Now TV, supporting a push by Sky into the audio space. It also features the likes of Spotify and Vevo.

A range of BBC kids shows, including The Dumping Ground and The Worst Witch, will be made available as box sets in the Sky Kids section.

The deal could represent a turning point in a relationship that has been somewhat frosty in recent years.

The BBC has in the past been unwilling to make its programmes available via Sky’s ‘best of’ sections, which has now been reversed. Sky was understood to be considering making a formal complaint to broadcasting regulator Ofcom last year.

In March 2018, Sky policy chief David Wheeldon said the corporation was at risk of “sealing itself off from its allies” if it went forward with its iPlayer-only strategy.

In contrast, Sky UK and Ireland chief executive Stephen van Rooyen hailed today’s move as a “great example of how UK broadcasters can work together for the benefit of viewers and the industry”.

He said Sky will continue to explore how its technology can “better connect with licence fee payers in the long term”.

BBC group managing director Bob Shennan added: “This agreement shows how the BBC and Sky can work together to give audiences the very best experience and support a strong UK media industry, and we look forward to continuing this relationship.”

The news also comes a few days after the launch of the BBC and ITV’s joint PSB SVoD service BritBox.