[SatBroadcasting(tm)[ Sky Anytime+, Sky's new Internet delivered video-on-demand (VoD) service, is to begin rolling-out to millions of Sky+HD homes.

Sky+HD set-top boxes (STBs) will be able to connect to the Sky Broadband network to access a comprehensive on-demand service, providing even more choice and control to complement Sky+ and the existing Sky Anytime ‘push' VoD service. Once connected, customers will have the opportunity to access an updating library of content which they can ‘pull' to their TVs to watch whenever they like. With thousands of hours of great TV to choose from, customers can access over 600 films, popular entertainment and drama ‘box-sets' (including iconic series from HBO), documentaries, the arts and much more besides. As well as offering content from Sky Movies, Sky Sports, Sky Arts and Sky 1, the service — which comes at no extra charge for subscribers — will also offer a wide range of programming from third party channels, with the on-demand library continuing to build over the coming months.

The Sky Anytime+ interface is an extension of the existing Sky+HD electronic program guide (EPG). The use of thumbnail images, editorialised listings and helpful search tools means that content discovery is intuitive and straightforward. Sky Anytime+ works on a progressive download basis which means content becomes available to view before it has fully downloaded. For most customers this means content is ready to watch in less than a minute. The confirmation of the launch of Sky Anytime+ comes as Sky reveals its latest trading update for the three months ending September 30, 2010. During the quarter, Sky added 96,000 new TV customers, taking its total customer base to 9,956,000. The quarter also saw continued growth in the other products and services Sky offers, particularly Sky Broadband and Sky+HD.