Sky (Sky Broadband) and the BBC have signed a new content and technology partnership, which among other things will today finally see the BBC’s iPlayer (IPTV) video on demand app and connected red-button service launch on their Sky Q TV platform. Previously it was possible on Sky to get BBC VoD content but not via iPlayer.
Sky customers will also have easier access to BBC children’s content with popular shows from CBBC and CBeebies including The Dumping Ground, The Worst Witch and Topsy & Tim, set to be available as box-set series across the Kids section of Sky Q, including within the Kids Safe Mode which was launched by Sky earlier this year.
The broadcasters are also exploring a “range of other partnership opportunities“, including the availability of BBC Sounds on the Sky and NOW TV platforms, as well as committing to BBC content being available on Sky’s future TV platform. Meanwhile Sky hopes to shop out their targeted advertising expertise (PromoSmart – powered by AdSmart) to the BBC, although that’s still only in the “early stage” of exploration.
- Sky Go Watch TV on any device. click to open detail panel. Download the app. click to open detail panel. Download the app overview. Choose your device. IOS - install the app; Android - install the app; Fire - install the app; Windows - download the app; Mac - download the app; Sky Sports on Sky Go - click to open.
- You can watch BBC programmes on Sky+HD and Sky Q. The BBC iPlayer app is only available on Sky Q. The BBC and Sky are working together to update the system we use to make programmes available on.
Stephen van Rooyen, Sky CEO UK & Ireland, said:
If you are experiencing a problem when opening or using the BBC iPlayer app, updating the Android System WebView via Google Play should now resolve the issue. The BBC Sport app offers in-depth results, analysis, live scores, match stats and text commentaries – keeping you up-to-date with all the action when you’re on the go.
“We are pleased to be working with the BBC on such a broad-ranging partnership – it is a great example of how UK broadcasters can work together for the benefit of viewers and the industry. We are continuing to explore, together with the BBC, how it could use Sky’s innovative technology to help it better connect with licence-fee payers for the long term.”
Bob Shennan, BBC Group Managing Director, said:
“We’re thrilled that viewers who watch our programmes on Sky will now be able to enjoy the full BBC iPlayer experience, and to access our full red-button service. BBC iPlayer is a fantastic way to watch the incredible breadth of programmes the BBC offers, including fantastic full series, terrific archive content, brilliant new dramas like His Dark Materials, landmark natural history programmes like Seven Worlds, One Planet and hilarious comedies like Motherland.
We’re also very much looking forward to experimenting with PromoSmart in the future. This agreement shows how the BBC and Sky can work together to give audiences the very best experience and support a strong UK media industry, and we look forward to continuing this relationship.”
End.
The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:
- watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel
- watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.)
- download or watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer.
This applies to any device you use, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.
Live TV means any programme you watch or record as it’s being shown on TV or live on an online TV service. It’s not just live events like sport, news and music. It also covers soaps, series, documentaries and even movies.
An online TV service Number of protons in vanadium. is any streaming or smart TV service, website or app that lets you watch TV programmes over the internet. This includes services like All 4, Sky Go, Now TV, BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube and ITV Hub.
Don't forget, a TV Licence also covers you to download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand on your television, laptop, mobile phone or any other device.
A standard colour TV Licence costs £159. Find out about ways to pay.
You could still need a TV Licence if you don’t have a TV
A TV Licence covers you to watch or record TV programmes live on any channel or TV service. This includes watching TV live online. A TV Licence also covers you to download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer. This applies to any device and provider you use, including:
- TV sets (including smart TVs)
- DVD, Blu-ray and VHS recorders
- Laptops and desktop computers
- Tablets, mobile phones and other portable devices
- Digital boxes or PVRs (such as Sky, Virgin Media or BT TV)
- Games consoles
- Media streaming devices (such as Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku and Now TV)
- Freeview, Freesat or YouView
Some of these devices can be powered solely by their own internal batteries. Your home TV Licence will usually cover you to use these away from home.
However, if you’re away from home and plug one of these devices into the mains and use it to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel or device, or to download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer, you need to be covered by a separate TV Licence at that address (unless you’re in a vehicle or vessel like a train, car or boat). It’s the law.
Please tell us if you think you don't need a TV Licence.
Do I need a TV Licence to watch TV live online?
Yes, you need a TV Licence to watch TV live online. You need a licence to watch or record any TV programme live, on any channel or TV service. It doesn’t matter if you receive it over the internet, from a cable or satellite provider or through an aerial.
This applies to any provider you use, including BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, All 4, Sky Go, Virgin Media, BT TV, Apple TV, Now TV, YouTube, Roku and Amazon Prime Video. You need to be covered by a TV Licence if you watch live TV on a television, laptop, mobile phone or any other device.
You also need a TV Licence to download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand.
Answers to your questions
Yes. If you record any programme on live TV, you need a TV Licence. It doesn’t matter when you watch it, how you record it or whether you watch TV on a television, laptop or any other device.
You don’t need a licence if you only ever watch on demand or catch up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer (and you also never watch live TV programmes on any channel, including on BBC iPlayer).
You also don’t need a licence to watch DVDs, Blu-rays or videos.
You need a TV Licence to download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand. This applies to any device and provider you use.
- Yes – if you watch or record live TV on any channel, or through any provider.
- No – if you don’t watch any live TV and you only ever watch on demand or catch up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer.
Yes. If you record any programme on live TV, you need a TV Licence. Even if the device or technology you use creates a delay between when the programme is shown and when you watch it.
Yes, you do. You need a TV Licence to watch or record any programme that’s being shown on live TV, whether you watch it on a TV, laptop, mobile phone or any other device. This includes repeats of any programmes that have already been shown.
Yes you do – as you’re still watching a programme as it’s being shown on TV, whether you watch it on a TV, laptop, mobile phone or any other device.
Yes, you need a TV Licence to watch live TV programmes being shown on Red Button services.
It doesn’t matter if you receive TV programmes from a cable or satellite provider, through an aerial or over the internet. You still need a TV Licence to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel. This also includes watching TV on a television, laptop, mobile phone or any other device.
You need a TV Licence to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel or device, no matter where they are broadcast or distributed from. This includes satellite or online streamed programmes from outside the UK or Channel Islands, such as sporting events and foreign shows.
You don’t need a TV Licence to watch videos or clips on demand on YouTube. But you do need a TV Licence if you watch TV programmes live on YouTube. An example of this would be watching Sky News live. But it isn’t just live news or sport which needs a licence – it’s any programme which is part of a TV channel, broadcast or transmitted for everyone to watch at the same time.
Yes. Online-only TV channels still count as live TV, so you need a TV Licence if you’re watching or recording their programmes.
It depends what you watch.
You don’t need a TV Licence if you only ever download or watch on demand or catch up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer (and you also never watch live TV programmes on any channel, including on BBC iPlayer). And you don’t need a licence to watch S4C TV on demand.
But you will need a licence if you watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, or you download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand. This applies to any device and provider you use. C# with visual studio code.
Subscription channels like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Now TV are television services that are normally paid for on a monthly basis via cable, satellite or the internet.
You will need a TV Licence if you watch live TV on a subscription channel. But you don’t need a TV Licence to watch on demand programmes (other than those on BBC iPlayer) on paid-for subscription channels.
You need a TV Licence to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel or device, no matter where they are broadcast or distributed from. This includes satellite or online streamed programmes from outside the UK or Channel Islands, such as sporting events and foreign shows.
You don’t need a TV Licence if you:
- never watch or record live TV programmes on any channel and
- never download or watch BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer – live, catch up or on demand.
This could be on any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.
If you only do the following, you don’t need a licence:
Bbc On Sky Go App Login
- Watch on demand or catch up programmes on services other than BBC iPlayer (and you also never watch live TV programmes on any channel, including on BBC iPlayer)
- Watch S4C TV on demand
- Stream, rent or buy movies from providers like Sky, Virgin Media, BT TV, Netflix or Amazon
- Watch DVDs, Blu-rays or videos,
- Play internet video clips through services like YouTube or to play video games.
Is Bbc Available On Sky Go
Note: if you are a landlord and you provide a TV to allow your tenants to watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, that address needs to be covered by a TV Licence.
Bbc Channels Not On Sky Go App
If you’re thinking of buying a new TV you may find our TV buying guide helpful.
How To Get Bbc On Sky Go App
If you still have questions take a look at TV Licensing FAQs where you can find all the answers in one place.