BSkyB To Buy Easynet For $265 Million: Report

BSkyB, the UK satellite TV provider, which is 37 percent owned by News Corp, is going to buy local telco Easynet, in a move that signals it attempt to become a triple-play–pay-TV, broadband internet and telephone services–company…this is Sky’s first step towards becoming a major force in the UK internet arena and makes the broadcaster a direct rival in the broadband market to the likes of BT, AOL and Wanadoo.

Sky needs a broadband service to support its move into VOD. It could also, for example, offer free films and live football matches over broadband for subscribers to its premium TV channels.

Informitv: Easynet is able to support multicast internet protocol delivery over its own network, potentially enabling it to offer hundreds or even thousands of live video channels to millions of personal computers and suitable set-top boxes.

Service providers Pipex and Video Networks have also been mentioned as possible Sky acquisition targets.

Related:

BSkyB’s Digital Media Activities: Movie and Sports Downloads

BSkyB Plans To Buy Into Broadband

BSkyB Moving Toward Hybrid Internet Platform

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