Now TV (UK)

Now TV
Original author(s) Sky plc
Developer(s) Sky plc
Initial release 17 July 2012 (2012-07-17)
Development status Active
Operating system

Windows (Windows 8.1 or later)
OS X (10.6 or later)
Android (4.0 or later)
iOS (6.0 or later)

Apple TV
Chromecast
EE TV box
LG Smart TV
Now TV Box
PlayStation 3
PlayStation 4
Roku
Roku Streaming Stick
Xbox 360
Xbox One
YouView
Available in English
Website www.nowtv.com

Now TV (stylised as NOW TV) is an internet television service owned by Sky plc. It was first announced in February 2012, and launched in the United Kingdom on 17 July 2012.[1] The service is available to watch via computer, various mobile devices, some game consoles and set-top boxes, with a Now TV branded box launched in July 2013. It is not viewable via Sky's digital satellite television service, or through the Sky Go Internet service.

History

Now TV commenced service in July 2012 by offering only films at first, adding sports in March 2013,[2] and entertainment channels in October 2013.[3][4] Film and entertainment channels are accessed by paying a monthly fee, and sports on an ad-hoc basis ("pay as you go"). Now TV is designed for people who have no existing pay TV service.[5]

Now TV is available on a number of different platforms providing access via both big-screen and small screen mobile devices:[6]

It is not currently available on the Amazon Fire TV set-top box. The service offers streams up to 720p resolution depending on the playback device and uses adaptive bitrate streaming to minimise disruption.

In January 2014, it was announced that ITV Hub would be made available on NOW TV box.[7]

Now TV Boxes

Main article: Roku

In July 2013 Sky launched a Now TV-branded Roku streaming box allowing users to stream Now TV content to their TV via an analogue base band connection or an HDMI, currently enabling it to display content from BBC iPlayer, All 4, My5, Spotify, ITV Hub and Sky News.[8] It has limited access to the Roku Channel Store and only a pre-approved list of Channels can be downloaded. A number of third-party channels can be side-loaded to the device using its Developer Mode.

On 6 August 2015 Sky launched the NOW TV Box 2 (based around a 2015 Roku 2) in black. It offers the same content as the original NOW TV (white) box, but has a faster processor, an ethernet port (as well as wi-fi), a USB port and an SD card slot (not functional by default), and is capable of outputting at full HD (1080p) resolution.[9] Unlike the original NOW TV Box, the NOW TV Box 2 does not have an analogue audio/video output socket.

There are currently two NOW TV Boxes available - The standard NOW TV Box and the NOW TV Smart Box. The NOW TV Box provides access the live channels and on-demand content, courtesy of the available Entertainment, Cinema, Sports and Kids Passes. The NOW TV Smart Box provides the same access, as well as the ability to access Freeview channels courtesy of an internal DTT tuner.[10]

Now TV Box Now TV Box 2 Now TV Smart Box
Released
July 2013
August 2015
July 2016
Available
Officially discontinued but still supported
Yes
Yes
Apps
Yes
Yes
Yes
Sky Store
Yes
Yes
Yes
Wireless Internet
802.11n Wi-Fi (b/g/n compatible) with WEP, WPA and WPA2 support
802.11 dual-band (a/b/g/n compatible) with WEP, WPA and WPA2 support
802.11 dual-band (a/b/g/n compatible) with WEP, WPA and WPA2 support
Wired Internet
No
10/100 Base-T Ethernet
10/100 Base-T Ethernet
USB
No
Yes
Yes
Micro SD Slot
No
Yes
Yes
Digital Television Tuner
No
No
Freeview HD
Pause & Rewind live TV
No
No
Yes
TV compatibility
Digital over HDMI
Mini-jack to left/right/composite video RCA
Digital over HDMI
Digital over HDMI
Supported resolution
Up to 720p
Up to 1080p
Up to 1080p
Processor
Single-core
Dual-core
Quad-core
Audio output

Analogue Stereo (mini-jack to left/right/composite video RCA)

Digital over HDMI (5.1 surround sound pass-through and stereo)
Digital over HDMI (7.1 and 5.1 surround pass through)
Digital over HDMI (7.1 and 5.1 surround pass through)
Dimensions
84mm (Length) x 84mm (Width) x 23mm (Height)
89mm (Length) x 89mm (Width) x 25mm (Height)
165mm (Length) x 165mm (Width) x 20.5mm (Height)
Weight
85 grams
141 grams
432 grams
Power Input
5.2V – 1.0A power adaptor
5.99V – 2A power adaptor
12V – 2A power adaptor
Power Consumption
Less than 2W (typical) when streaming video
Less than 3.5W (typical) when streaming video
Less than 14.2W (Active)
9.5W (Active Standby)
0.6W (Passive Standby)

Available content

As of July 2016, NOW TV offers both live streaming and on-demand content from the following channels. Some programmes may not be available for live streaming due to rights restrictions.[11]

Sky Cinema month pass

Sky Sports day/week/month pass

Sports channels offer live streaming only.

Entertainment month pass

Kids month pass

References

  1. ↑ "BSkyB Corporate | Now's the time for NOW TV". Corporate.sky.com. 16 July 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  2. ↑ "Pay-as-you-go Sky Sports comes to NOW TV". Corporate.sky.com. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  3. ↑ Skipworth, Hunter (29 October 2013). "New Sky Now TV package brings Sky 1 access and more". Digital Spy. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  4. ↑ "BBC News - Sky announces details of NowTV internet TV service". Bbc.co.uk. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  5. ↑ Stallard, Katie (17 July 2012). "No Dish, No Contract - Sky Launches NOW TV". News.sky.com. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  6. ↑ "Supported Devices for NOW TV". Now TV. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  7. ↑ "ITV announces new drama pay channel Encore for Sky - TV News". Digital Spy. 29 January 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  8. ↑ Lawler, Richard. "Sky's Now TV box is a £9.99 Roku clone that streams iPlayer and more". Engadget.com. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  9. ↑ http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/134825-now-tv-box-2015-vs-now-tv-box-vs-roku-2-what-s-the-difference
  10. ↑ http://www.nowtv.com/tv-boxes
  11. ↑ "Watch Movies, Films & Sports Online - NOW TV". Help.nowtv.com. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
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