James R | On 04, Dec 2014

BT TV has launched TV Everywhere, a new service designed for multi-platform viewing that also makes its buy-to-keep films available to watch on multiple devices.

BT TV was the first TV platform to offer buy-to-keep movies, its director tells Advanced Television, but purchased titles have only been available to watch on a set top box – YouView or Vision+ – which means that people wanting to stream in the bedroom or on the toilet were out of luck. The same was true of the rest of the BT TV content.

Until now.

TV Everywhere is BT’s new service, which allows customers to watch TV channels on multiple devices. BT TV movie purchases, for example, are now available on smartphones, tablets and PCs as well as on the telly. Customers will be able to stream content on up to four different devices simultaneously, as well as download to watch later on the move.

TV channels will also be available to stream on multiple devices – including computers, and smartphones and tablets, which will be able to access channels through a TV Everywhere app. The app will also allow the recording of programmes from their TV guide on their set top box while they’re away from home.

The move places BT TV toe-to-toe with Sky, whose own Sky Go app offers the same streaming and recording functions. Sky has also recently launched its own buy-to-keep service – by sending a physical DVD for any purchase made online in the Sky Store to people’s homes.

It also places BT TV ahead of its latest rival in the TV package race, EE TV, which recently announced its own plans for a set top box with an emphasis on streaming to mobile devices.

Film prices start from £3.99 for SD and £5.99 for HD, while TV Everywhere will be a part of BT’s own “extra box” offer, which provides a second YouView+ box to customers for an addition £5 per month (and a £99 lump sum for the box).

The announcement arrives just in time for Christmas, as pay-TV providers all compete to sign up the most customers looking for things to watch during the holidays.

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