Sky and BT to sell each other's channels

Sky and BT have agreed a deal to sell their channels on each other’s platforms.

Under the agreement, Sky will receive wholesale supply of the BT Sport channels enabling it to offer its customers access to every single match of the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League and Europa League shown on Sky and BT channels through one simple Sky contract.

This will be the first time Sky is able to provide BT Sport to its customers directly as part of a Sky bundle or on a standalone basis and across all Sky platforms including Sky Go. Meanwhile, Sky’s NowTV streaming service will be available on the BT TV set-top-box.

It is expected that these new services will be available to customers from early 2019.

Sky chief executive Jeremy Darroch, said: "This is great news for Sky customers who will be able to access all matches on Sky and BT channels from the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and Europa League directly with a single Sky TV subscription and with the great customer service that we provide.

“UK consumers will have even more ways to watch great Sky entertainment content with our leading portfolio of channels - Sky Atlantic, Sky One and Sky Living - available on all major Pay-TV platforms for the first time.

“This is all part of our stated strategy to enhance our customer offering, to broaden our appeal and to open up new revenue streams for our business."

BT chief executive Gavin Patterson said: "This is the next logical step for our TV and content strategy. Having built up an outstanding portfolio of exclusive sports rights and a loyal base of customers, we feel that now is the right time to broaden the ways in which we distribute BT Sport.”