ITV to launch first pay-TV channel on Sky - ITV Encore
ITV will launch a paid-for channel, available on Sky platforms, this year, as the company looks to continue its strategy of growing non advertising revenues.
The ITV Encore platform will air British drama series from recent years, as well as screening original commissions.
“A key part of our strategy is to become the most watched, most loved and most talked about family of free and pay channels for every household and every advertiser in the UK,” Adam Crozier, ITV chief executive, said.
“ITV’s brilliant dramas contributed to a fantastic on-screen performance last year - we had three out of the top five dramas in 2013, which helped us increase our share of viewing on the main channel for the first time in a decade.
“The time is absolutely right to build on our successful partnership with Sky with the launch of ITV Encore, which will be an important part of ITV’s family of channels, and will complement ITV3, home to our long-running, classic drama series. ITV Encore is right in line with our strategy of growing non advertising revenues while at the same time creating even greater opportunities to showcase new drama.”
In addition, as part of the wider deal with Sky, ITV content will be made available through Sky’s range of connected platforms including Sky+HD, Sky Go, NOW TV and Sky Store.
Jeremy Darroch, Sky chief executive, added: “Our customers love great drama and so we are delighted to bring them exclusive access to a new channel from one of the best loved brands in TV. The wider availability of ITV programmes on our fast-growing connected TV services, including Sky Go, Sky Store and NOW TV, will make Sky stand out as a great place to enjoy ITV, on multiple devices, both at home and on the go. This is good news for Sky customers and a positive way for us to work with ITV in a broad, mutually beneficial partnership.”
This will be ITV’s first brand new channel launch in eight years.