Rachel_Sandford
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The generation of our grandparents was introduced to television by being given a tiny wooden-like box with knobs. A few short decades later, the remote control arrived, doing away with the knobs and giving everyone the power to control what they watch from their couch. The current generation probably can't imagine televisions without remote controls.
Now, BSkyB is taking that one step further. On the same day Netflix launched in the UK, BSkyB announced that they have invested in Zeebox, a company that will be giving Sky customers the ability to control their televisions through their iPhones and iPads, which will have access to their Sky+ box. The clincher? They don't have to be in front of the TV to do it. They can be on the move!
Sky customers will be allowed to find television information, connect with friends on social networks, and buy TV related products during ad breaks, which is probably Sky's response to Ofcom's findings that many people surf the internet while watching television. According to sources, the service will first be integrated into Sky+ and Sky Go and it will be launched in the first half of this year.
The monetary details of the deal were not revealed, except that BSkyB invested enough to acquire a 10% stake in Zeebox. As part of the deal, Sky Media will become the exclusive advertising sales agent for Zeebox.
“The integration of Zeebox’s innovative technology will enable us to make the companion device experience even richer and more engaging. 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,” said Emma Lloyd, Sky's Director of Emerging Products.
Lloyd said the move is part of Sky taking “ 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.”
Co-founder and CEO of Zeebox, Ernesto Schmitt, gave his own comment saying: “Thanks to Sky's backing we now also have the resources and expertise to set our sights firmly on international expansion alongside further innovation here in the UK and Ireland.”
Schmitt, who was a former EMI board director, launched Zeebox in October 2011 with partner Anthony Rose, the former technology chief at BBC who helped develop iPlayer. The company's goal was to bring together broadcast TV and internet. With Sky's support, they are likely to reach that goal sooner.
The proposed service is likely to be quite popular among Sky customers, especially if it is given as a service or offered at low cost. All too soon our grandchildren are going to wonder why it took us so long to switch from couch-control to anywhere-control.
Now, BSkyB is taking that one step further. On the same day Netflix launched in the UK, BSkyB announced that they have invested in Zeebox, a company that will be giving Sky customers the ability to control their televisions through their iPhones and iPads, which will have access to their Sky+ box. The clincher? They don't have to be in front of the TV to do it. They can be on the move!
Sky customers will be allowed to find television information, connect with friends on social networks, and buy TV related products during ad breaks, which is probably Sky's response to Ofcom's findings that many people surf the internet while watching television. According to sources, the service will first be integrated into Sky+ and Sky Go and it will be launched in the first half of this year.
The monetary details of the deal were not revealed, except that BSkyB invested enough to acquire a 10% stake in Zeebox. As part of the deal, Sky Media will become the exclusive advertising sales agent for Zeebox.
“The integration of Zeebox’s innovative technology will enable us to make the companion device experience even richer and more engaging. 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,” said Emma Lloyd, Sky's Director of Emerging Products.
Lloyd said the move is part of Sky taking “ 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.”
Co-founder and CEO of Zeebox, Ernesto Schmitt, gave his own comment saying: “Thanks to Sky's backing we now also have the resources and expertise to set our sights firmly on international expansion alongside further innovation here in the UK and Ireland.”
Schmitt, who was a former EMI board director, launched Zeebox in October 2011 with partner Anthony Rose, the former technology chief at BBC who helped develop iPlayer. The company's goal was to bring together broadcast TV and internet. With Sky's support, they are likely to reach that goal sooner.
The proposed service is likely to be quite popular among Sky customers, especially if it is given as a service or offered at low cost. All too soon our grandchildren are going to wonder why it took us so long to switch from couch-control to anywhere-control.