BBC & Sky Expand Long-Term Partnership

The BBC and Sky have renewed and expanded their long-term strategic partnership, which sees the BBC’s brands and services showcased on Sky’s TV products.

The new agreement sees the BBC’s original content made even more prominent on Sky platforms by making it easier for Sky customers to find programs on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds, both now and in the future.

It also reinforces their joint support of the U.K. creative economy, with a common goal to invest in programs and news made in the U.K. for U.K. audiences.

The pact builds on the existing relationship and recent launch of BBC Sounds on Sky Q and the recent partnership on sports broadcast rights, sharing both the Women’s Super League and matches from the new cricket format The Hundred.

Tim Davie, BBC director-general, said: “It’s essential that all audiences get the maximum value from the BBC—and this agreement will ensure millions of Sky customers around the U.K. have access to the diverse rich mix of programming across the BBC—whether that’s our live TV channels and radio networks or millions of hours of programming available when you want on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.

“It’s also key that U.K. audiences hear and see stories and programs that resonate with them and where they’re from, so I look forward to working with Sky to continue to support the U.K. creative economy to achieve that goal.”

Stephen van Rooyen, executive VP and chief executive for the U.K. and Europe at Sky, said: “We know our customers love the BBC’s distinctive range of world-class content, so we’re pleased we can integrate it more deeply and aggregate it seamlessly together with all the best apps and content from our other partners, all in one place on Sky Q.

“There’s a long history of collaboration between Sky and the BBC and both organizations play a pivotal role in supporting the U.K.’s cultural economy—I’m excited to see what more we can do together.”