Sky Deutschland to launch iPad app

Satellite pay-TV operator Sky Deutschland is to launch a local iPad application later this month to coincide with the German launch of the Apple device.

The News Corp-owned pay broadcaster is also going to ramp up its investment in original local productions and has struck a deal with regional cable operator NetCologne to boost its footprint.

Sky Deutschland boss Brian Sullivan told delegates at the Anga Cable trade show that it would launch the iPad application ahead of the soccer World Cup and it will focus on its sports content. He added that it would invest a considerable amount of money in local content and that in-house produced drama will be on air by the second half of 2011.

The company also announced the co-distribution deal with NetCologne, which will see Sky Deutschland become part of the cabler’s triple-play service. Sullivan added that it was currently in talks with all the major German cablers to strike similar deals.