Sky CEO sees opportunity in ‘iPhone model’, approves increased spending on original content

Sky CEO sees opportunity in ‘iPhone model’, approves increased spending on original content

Sky will continue to expand its investment in the original content and will invest in ticket opportunities similar to those of the iPhone thanks to new technologies, such as the recently launched high-band TV that offers monthly payment plans, told by Executive Director Dana Strong at a conference in London Thursday. .

Discuss Sky’s focus on augmenting its original content with past successes such as ChernobylAccording to him, the company plays a “big role” in the UK’s “cultural economy”. This year, more than 500 million pounds (over 610 million dollars) is spent on original content for more than 200 originals, which is three times more than in 2019, said Output, at the Media and Telecoms 2022 & Beyond conference. organized by Deloitte and EndersAnalysis. Sky has steadily increased its initial budget in recent years, and parent Comcast has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to continue to accelerate spending.

The opening of the Sky Studios Elstree production complex will generate $3 billion in the UK in five months over five years, he said. More importantly, “we did a good job with many different voices”, which ensured that “the scope of the narrative…is now very complete and inclusive”.

Delivering quotes from our own content and from other broadcast and media companies these days makes this question even more important for Sky: “How can we connect users with content?”

Sky Glass, a broadband TV that doesn’t require a satellite dish to access the company’s full suite of services and new features, including a playlist that brings together content from a range of services launched in the UK in October and launched elsewhere markets this year. .

“Technological innovation has always been key to Sky,” Strong argued, noting that Sky Glass changes sound and colors depending, for example, on whether people are watching movies or sports.

The CEO also called Sky Glass “Our future hub of innovation”. He said the company will launch Sky Stream, a streaming device, and will also offer cameras to give viewers a shared experience. Content aggregation is one of Sky’s key strategies, allowing users to access Sky and other content. “The foundation of what we do for consumers is collecting great content and giving customers access to choose what they want to watch,” he said, calling Sky Glass a “platform for us.”

Targeting a growing “broadcast-based audience” in this way also opens up Sky to new consumer segments at affordable prices and creates revenue-generating opportunities, Strong said. The cost of a Sky Glass device depends on its size, starting at 9,649 ($881.88) or 13 13 ($17.65) per month. Strong said it is transforming the business by paying monthly device ownership “on the iPhone model, effectively.” Strong said it was “the next good step towards making Sky accessible”.

Strong noted that nearly 18 months after taking over Sky, Strong said the company was “fighting exceptionally well” against the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. And “We’re really going” with tech innovations like Sky Glass and streaming company SkyShowtime Paramount Global, formerly known as ViacomCBS. After the partners received “full regulatory approval” earlier this year, the company will launch a new subscription video ordering service in more than 20 areas in Europe, including Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Sweden. , Denmark . and Norway and Finland. The areas include 90 million families.

Comcast acquired European pay-TV giant Sky in one of the media industry’s biggest deals in 2018. In January 2021, it named Strong CEO and replaced Jeremy Daroch, who has decided to step down. Strong, who reports to Comcast President and CEO Brian Roberts, previously served as President of Customer Service for Comcast Cable and More than 25 years of international experience in telecommunications and media. Previously, he also served as President and CEO of Virgin Media UK, Director of Transformation for John Malone at Liberty Global and Director of Austar in Australia.

Last fall, Strong told an industry conference that Sky plans to expand into mainland Europe in the coming years, boosting the content creation business and increasing diversity. “There is no doubt that we can all do better,” he said of diversity.

Source: Hollywood Reporter

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