Sky (Sky Plc) announced today that it will make Netflix available through its latest Sky Q device/box. Why is this important?
Sky Plc said its subscribers using the ultra HD Sky Q platform in the UK and Ireland would have access to a new Sky subscription pack containing full Netflix content in the coming year.
The deal comes as US media giant Comcast threatens to derail Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to take full control of Sky.
This week Comcast made a £22.1bn ($31bn) bid for the European satellite broadcaster Sky, challenging a lower offer from 21st Century Fox.
21st Century Fox, the world’s fourth-largest media company after Comcast, Disney and Time Warner, currently owns 39.1% of Sky.
In December, Walt Disney Co struck a deal to buy film, television and international businesses from Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox for $52.4 billion in stock, including its holdings in Sky.
Sounds confusing? Disney wants to buy 21st Century Fox (which includes the Hollywood Studio 20th Century Fox, 39.1% of Sky and other assets). Comcast now wants to buy Sky which 21st Century Fox wants to take full control of. In the meanwhile, Sky opens its platform to allow Netflix.
The question to ask is will Rupert Murdoch buy Netflix with the sale proceeds of 21st Century Fox to Disney?