Sky Sports has announced the launch of its new streaming service, Sky Sports+, which promises to offer comprehensive coverage of soccer, tennis, rugby league and more. The platform is set to go live on 8th August and will be available across various platforms including Sky Q, Sky Glass, Sky Stream television platforms, Now direct-to-consumer (DTC) service and the Sky Sports mobile application.
One of the major highlights of this launch is that it coincides with the new English Football League (EFL) season. This means sports fans can look forward to every single game from opening weekend being available live on this platform.
Sky has committed to broadcasting every single EFL club at least 20 times in the upcoming season. This includes all 36 games from the second, third and fourth tiers of English soccer. The 2024/25 campaign marks a significant milestone as it's covered by a new five-year deal worth UK£935 million (US$1.2 billion) with EFL that will see over 1,000 matches from all three divisions and the EFL Cup matches broadcast each year. Both parties have also pledged towards improving production values by incorporating more cameras for better coverage along with enhanced commentary.
Broad spectrum of live events
In addition to football coverage, subscribers can enjoy every single match from rugby league’s Super League as well as men’s ATP and women’s WTA tennis tours.
Moreover, there's streaming-only enhanced coverage for other major events like Formula One which adds further value for sports enthusiasts subscribing to this service.
Introduction of free ad-supported streaming television channels
In a move to diversify its content offering and reach a wider audience, Sky Sports is introducing its first-ever free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels. These channels include Sky Sports Stories, which will offer engaging sports documentaries; Sky Sports Classics, where fans can relive memorable moments with Premier League archive content; and Sky Sports Vault, which will serve up classic footage from various sports.
Currently accessible via Comcast’s Xumo Play platform, these channels are set to be integrated into the electronic programming guide (EPG) on the IP-based platforms of Sky Glass and Sky Stream soon. Furthermore, they will also be made available on the popular platform of Sky Q. This initiative represents an exciting expansion in free-to-view content for sports fans around the globe.
The launch of 'Sky Sports+' is a significant step forward in providing comprehensive coverage of various sports events to fans. With its broad spectrum of live events, commitment to improving production values and introduction of free ad-supported streaming television channels, it's set to revolutionize how sports fans consume their favorite games and tournaments.
