Sky Q scores content deals ahead of launch

Next-generation UK streaming platform Sky Q has acquired 400 short-form videos from indie Barcroft Media, and content from Electus Digital and Funny Or Die.

This marks some of the first deals Sky Q has closed since parent satcaster Sky revealed the OTT service in November last year.

Sky Q launches early this year, with a ‘fluid viewing’ concept at the core. In essence, this means allowing subscribers to watched the same streamed video on different platforms throughout the home.

The new shows will be made available on a branded ‘Online Video’ section of Sky Q.

The Barcroft deal comprises videos dubbed as depicting ‘the amazing side of life’, spanning genres such as ‘natural world and animals’, ‘heart warmers’ and ‘adventure sports’.

“Sky Q’s ‘Online Video’ section will be home to a range of content from awesome shows about our natural world through to quick laughs and sports,” said Sky’s editorial director of on-demand, Julia Barry. “We’re thrilled that Barcroft TV’s shows will form part of the curated service on Sky Q at launch in early 2016.”

Barcroft founder and CEO, Sam Barcroft, described Sky Q as the UK’s “most exciting and ambitious new platform launch for some time”.

Electus Digital, part of Ben Silverman’s Electus, will provide fandom-focused comedy show such as Hardly Working and Today in Nerd History, plus library content including Jake and Amir and Downton Abbey-inspired The Britishes.

Comedy portal Funny Or Die, meanwhile, will offer celebrity-fronted videos and topical commentaries from the likes of Ryan Gosling, Helen Mirren and Samuel L. Jackson.

Condé Nast Entertainment, GoPro, Jukin Media, Kin Community, Red Bull Media House and Whistle Sports are already signed up as content partners for Sky Q, whose pricing and launch date are yet to be confirmed.