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AOL UK Signs Sky BB Content Deal

Posted: 13th Jul, 2004 By: MarkJ

AOL UK has announced an agreement with Sky Sports that will give members of the Broadband Gold and Platinum packages access to sports video content. The deal follows a similar one made between Wanadoo and Sky last week:

AOL UK teams up with Sky Sports for broadband content

AOL UK today announced an agreement with Sky Sports that will give members of the AOL Broadband Gold and Platinum services in the UK access to extensive broadband sports video content. The Sky Sports Broadband content on AOL Broadband will include highlights from FA Premier League and Champions League games, Sky Sports News bulletins, clips from Skys Saturday morning show Soccer am, plus rugby league and union, cricket, golf, boxing and other sports content.

Under the agreement with Sky Sports, AOL Broadband Gold and Platinum members who sign up to the Sky Sports Broadband premium service between 8 July and 31 July 2004 will get one years access to the service at no additional cost. AOL Broadband Gold and Platinum members signing up from 1 August 2004 will continue to have free access to a substantial part of the Sky Sports Broadband content or they can choose to take advantage of a special offer to subscribe to Sky's premium service at a reduced price.

AOLs Sports channel in the UK already reaches around one million unique visitors each month* and the Sky Sports Broadband content will further strengthen the companys online sport offering. To date, members of the AOL service in the UK have taken advantage of content such as free subscriptions to football club websites and video highlights from major sport events including last years Rugby World Cup.

David Gilbey, VP of Content and Services at AOL UK, commented: Sport is a real passion for many people, be it supporting their local football club to cheering on a national sports hero. Broadband taps into this excitement extremely well - giving fans direct access to video highlights, replays and news updates, as well as the opportunity to voice their opinions about sport in chat rooms and message boards.

He added: As broadband becomes a must-have for many UK consumers, content is the key differentiator. The Internet is no longer just about information, its about entertainment and the opportunities around video streaming of sport are very exciting. Sky Sports expertise in this area and the breadth of its broadband content means that our members will get outstanding online coverage, whether theyre into football, golf or another major sport.

Neil Martin, Business Development Director of Sky Sports, said: "With the advent of mass access to broadband technologies both at home and at work, demand for such video streaming is growing by the minute. The incredible popularity of sport means consumers are demanding more access to video footage irrespective of time or location, something we have witnessed since the launch of Sky Sports Broadband in 2003."

The Sky Sports Broadband content will be available to members of the AOL Broadband Gold and Platinum services in the UK. Further information can be found at AOL Keyword: Sky Sports Broadband.

* comScore Media Metrix