David Farnor | On 06, Feb 2015

Sky has revealed plans for a new, next generation NOW Box.

The streaming media device was launched in 2013 in the UK and offers access to Sky’s over-the-top VOD service, which provides pay TV content – such as Game of Thrones (via a £6.99 per month Entertainment Membership) and The LEGO Movie (via a £9.99 per month NOW Cinema Membership) – with no contract.

The branded box is powered by Roku but offers a restricted range of channels, with no presence of subscription VOD rivals Netflix or Amazon Prime; a shortcoming that Sky aims to compensate for with the box’s low price of £10.

Now, though, the box will be pimped up for a newer model.

During an earnings call following its latest quarterly report, group CEO Jeremy Darroch says Sky will “really get behind” its OTT offerings this year, with a similar box planned for Italy, following the same approach in Germany.

Sky is about to launch a “major marketing campaign” for the NOW service, one which will no doubt be timed to capitalise on the availability of Game of Thrones on the service.

“We’ve got an outstanding line up of new exclusive content, which will bring to the next generation of Now TV box which will also upgrade later in the year,” Darroch added.

Will the new boxes open up to include additional channels? Sky hasn’t confirmed anything yet in terms of content, although the interface will be also be revamped to “drive engagement and consumption”.

Indeed, NOW has already enjoyed a strong quarter, with transactions through the service trebling.

“As penetration of connected devices increases, Sky is opening up new revenue streams. Revenues to Sky Store in the UK and Ireland were up 90% year on year with ‘buy and keep’ now regularly ranked number one or two among digital retailers for new releases,” noted Sky’s report.

For more information on the NOW Box, click here – or head this way to read our review.

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