BSkyB has confirmed that it is to finally take advantage of the broadband capabilities of its Sky+ HD service. The satcaster has confirmed that it will next week commence the phased roll out of its Pull VOD service Anytime+.

Customers will have access to over 600 movies from Sky Movies and Sky Box Office as well as entertainment, documentaries, children’s programming and classic sport.
Initially Sky Anytime+ will only be available to subscribers in a Sky Network area, that is to say those customers who receive their broadband directly from BSkyB itself, as opposed to Sky Broadband Connect (which runs over the BT network) or from a third party provider.

The new section of the EPG seamlessly integrates the existing Sky Antyime service, where the satcaster downloads programmes to the receiver ready for viewing, with the NDS progressive download technology already used by Viasat in the Nordic region. An icon will indicate to the subscriber whether or not a piece of content is ready to play immediately. Customers can pause and restart downloads and change the order of delivery if they have selected a number of programmes.

In addition to content from Sky itself there will also be programmes from third party broadcasters that include ESPN, National Geographic Channel and Disney Channel. The recent deal with HBO, and the launch of Sky Atlantic early next year, means Anytime+ households will be able to view ‘boxed sets’ of classic US shows.