Sky have announced a new package that will combine four major streaming services under one subscription, in the style of a cable TV bundle.
In what the broadcaster describes as a “world first”, Sky News has reported that “viewers will soon be able to watch Disney+, Netflix, Hayu and HBO Max alongside Sky’s own original shows and exclusives as part of a new entertainment offering.”
Netflix is currently available as part of various Sky packages, but it will be the first time the service will be included alongside fellow streamers in one package, solving an issue many viewers have with keeping track of multiple subscriptions.
Hayu is a service focused on reality TV, while HBO Max is a film and TV service already active in the US, which will arrive in the UK in March. It will be the home of all Warner Bros content, including Friends and the forthcoming Harry Potter TV show.
The price of the package, called Ultimate TV, will also include Sky’s original programming and is stated to be priced at £24. All four services currently start at £5.99 per month, representing an overall saving for customers when accounting for the Sky content that is included.
Launched in 1989, Sky was a groundbreaking presence in paid television, becoming popular through its movies and sports channels. Initially offering its channels through satellite dishes, the company has been phasing out the format in favour of streaming, both through Sky’s subscription and NOW TV services.
The news comes as platforms compete for dominance in the entertainment marketplace. Netflix currently leads the streaming wars with over 300million subscribers worldwide, with Amazon’s Prime Video and Disney+ following with around 200million subscribers each. HBO Max has over 122million subscribers, however it is not available in as many regions.
Last year, Netflix drew criticism from viewers for raising its prices, despite reporting record subscriber numbers.
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