Sky adds kids’ VoD, partners C5

UK satcaster BSkyB has struck deals with major children’s content providers for its cross-device on-demand service and added Channel 5’s programming to its TV catch-up offer.

Sky will add programmes such as iCarly, SpongeBob SquarePants and Ben 10 to its Sky Go platform after partnering with eight kids’ channels, including Cartoon Network, Disney Channel and Nickelodeon.

Sky Go allows subscribers to access content from tablets, computers, smartphones and other web-connected devices.

The shows will be made available through Sky’s Entertainment Extra package. Eight live children’s channels will launch next month on the Sky Go app, bringing the total number to 32 a year after launch. The app had 2.7 million unique users in the three months to June 30.

C5 programmes such as Big Brother, The Bachelor and The Mentalist will join Sky Go’s sister service Sky Anytime+ later this year. The reboot of classic soap Dallas will also play on it, alongside BBC and ITV programming launching this year.

The new catch-up programming will run in the main section the Sky Anytime+ menu, plus on the Demand 5 player found within the platform.

“More Sky customers than ever are enjoying the range and quality of the on-demand content available on the service, which will be further enhanced by the addition of catch-up content from the BBC, ITV and Channel 5 later this year,” said Sky’s director of TV products Luke Bradley-Jones, who joined the company earlier this year.