UKTV signs VOD deal with Sky, adds HD channels

Pay TV broadcaster UKTV is launching its first VOD service on BSkyB’s pay TV platform. The broadcaster is also increasing the number of HD channels available on Sky.

UKTV, which operates channels including Eden, Good Food, Dave and Watch, signed a deal that will see content offered on Sky Anytime Plus, Sky’s VOD service that uses the Ethernet connection to its DVRs.

Initially launching with hundreds of hours of programming, UKTV’s VOD service will be refreshed on a monthly basis and nine box sets will be made available to Sky Anytime Plus viewers every year. Episodes from various classic series will be made available, including Fawlty Towers, Doctor Who, Planet Earth and Rick Stein’s French Odyssey.

The broadcaster will also add HD versions of Watch and Dave in October and Alibi HD in 2012. They will join Eden HD and Good Food HD, which are already available to Sky viewers.