Sky+ app: the new talking TV guide for blind and partially sighted customers

Sky has worked with the RNIB to develop a new version of the popular Sky+ app – making it even easier for blind and partially sighted customers to find, and manage their favourite shows.

The new update means that the Sky+ app – the UK’s most widely used subscription TV app is compatible with the latest voice-over technology built into iOS and Android devices. Customers can now make better use of the app by being able to control it through a series of gestures , while a voice over reads out each item of text that appears on the screen.

This makes it easier than ever for blind and partially sighted viewers to:

• Browse the Now & Next TV guide
• Record current and future episodes using Smart Series Link
• View their Planner
• Download on demand content
• Find the shows they’ve missed with Catch Up TV
• Access movies in the Sky Store
  

David Meredith, Sky’s Head of Core TV Products, commented: “We want all our customers to enjoy the same great Sky experience and so making accessibility a core part of the Sky+ app was extremely important to us. With the updated Sky+ app it’s now even easier for our blind and partially sighted customers to browse the TV guide and record or download all their favourite shows.”

Sky worked closely with customers, the RNIB, and its own dedicated Accessible Customer Service team to optimise the app for voice over technology and deliver the best experience yet for its blind or partially sighted customers.

To use the accessibility features on the Sky+ app, Customers should connect their mobile or tablet to the same WiFi as their Sky+HD box and enable the voice over function on their device. They can then use the ‘Now & Next’ view within the TV Guide to browse and select current and future shows, hear descriptions and record the shows they want to watch later.

Customers using the technology will also be able to browse hundreds of shows and movies and download them to their set top box through Catch Up TV, TV Box Sets, Sky Movies on Demand and Sky Store*. And, with the new and improved Search function, it’s even quicker for Customers to find exactly what they want to watch, when they want to watch it.

The accessibility of the new Sky+ app marks an exciting achievement for the company, and is all part of its continuing drive to use technology and its proven track record as an innovator to make its products and services accessible to all its customers. Sky continues to work the RNIB and other stakeholders to improve the accessibility of its apps.

For more information about the Sky+ app and all the services Sky offers its customers with disabilities see www.sky.com/accessibility.

* Content available in line with Sky subscription

For further information, please contact:

Helen Parker, Product & Brand PR, Sky, Helen.parker@bskyb.com / 0207 032 2343

Notes to Editors

Sky+ app accessibility

• To access the full service Customers should connect their Sky+HD box and make sure their mobile or tablet is connected to the same WiFi network. For information on how to connect a Sky+HD box visit www.sky.com/connect
• The Sky+ app can be used with VoiceOver (iOS) and Talkback (Android)
• See your device user guide for instructions on how to set up and use VoiceOver or Talkback
• VoiceOver and Talkback functions are not compatible with the remote control gestures or the TV Guide grid view
• Within the TV Guide, the Now & Next view should be used to see current and forthcoming shows instead of the Grid

About Sky
 
Sky is the UK and Ireland’s leading home entertainment and communications company.  Around 40% of all homes have a direct relationship with Sky through its range of TV, broadband and home telephony services.
 
Sky is the UK’s biggest investor in television content, investing more than £2.6 billion a year in channels such as Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Sky Arts, Sky Sports, Sky Movies and Sky News.   Around two-thirds of Sky’s content spend is invested in the UK and Sky is the fastest-growing source of investment in original British programmes.  More than 30 million people watch Sky content each week.
 
Alongside its commitment to offering customers a greater choice of high-quality content, Sky is a leading innovator.  Customers enjoy total control and flexibility over their favourite TV through Sky+, watch TV on the move through Sky Go, and enjoy the best quality TV experience at home through High Definition and 3D.
 
Sky distributes its content broadly over several platforms, including satellite, cable, IPTV, mobile and WiFi.  NOW TV, Sky’s second consumer brand, builds on the company’s leadership in internet TV.  Sky is also the UK's fastest-growing home communications company and favourite ‘triple-play’ provider of TV, broadband and home phone.
 
Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates by taking positive action on the environment, supporting grassroots sports and increasing access to, and participation in, the arts.  Sky employs 25,000 people, has annual revenues of £7.6 billion and is estimated to support a £6.0 billion contribution to UK GDP.  Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (BSY).