U.K. television provider BSkyB announced that its Now TV Internet service will launch tomorrow.
The streaming service will bring Sky Movies to PCs, Macs, and Android mobile handsets; Sky Sports is coming later this year. Apple iOS devices will receive the service next month, and by the end of the year, it will be available on Xbox, PS3, Roku, and Youview.
"As we move forward, Now TV will get even bigger and better, with more devices and more platforms in the coming months," director Simon Creasey said in a statement.
According to a Sky press release, the "pay and play" option offers instant access to more than 1,000 movies, including new releases – We Bought a Zoo, The Woman in Black, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, This Means War, and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance – and classics.
Individual movies range in price from 99p ($1.55) for older films to 3.49 pounds ($5.42) for the latest blockbusters.
Creasey said that he expects the new service to bring more choices to U.K. consumers. "Following the explosion of Internet-connected devices, we know that more and more people are looking for great content to watch over the Web, and that's where Now TV comes in," he said.
For those who need more of a buffet-style movie experience, customers can order a monthly Sky Movies Pass with instant and unlimited access to program's entire film collection. The all-you-can-watch experience allows weekly access to up to five new and exclusive Sky Movie premieres, at least 12 months before they become available on other subscription services.
As of tomorrow's launch, the Sky Movies Pass includes titles like X-Men: First Class, Bridesmaids, Green Lantern, and Cowboys and Aliens. After a 30-day free trial, the pass is available for 15 pounds ($23) a month.
In future, Now TV will also feature content from Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Arts, and Sky Living, as well as U.S. programs.
The Now TV launch comes several months after Netflix launched in the U.K. and Ireland for 5.99 Pounds a month in the U.K. and 6.99 Euros in Ireland. Consumers in the region also have access to Amazon's LoveFilm, which boasts more than 2 million subscribers in the U.K., Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.