Sky lets you watch or record TV programmes directly from tweets

16 Apr 2014

Sky has developed a new Twitter tool that lets Sky users watch or record a TV show by clicking on links contained in tweets carrying the #WatchOnSky hashtag.

Twitter users who see #WatchOnSky on tweets from Sky can expand the tweet and tap on an icon that directly links to Sky’s mobile TV service Sky Go to start watching the show.

Alternatively they can tap the Sky+ ‘R’ to remotely set their Sky+HD box to record.

The launch of #WatchOnSky marks the first time that a broadcaster in Ireland has created a service that lets users access live TV and set recordings via their Twitter timeline.

TV tweets

“#WatchOnSky is another brilliantly simple way for our customers to find and watch the shows everyone is talking about,” said Mark Anderson, director of sales and marketing at Sky Ireland.

“By simply clicking on a tweet, customers can either instantly watch live TV or record shows for later. It’s all part of our commitment to make it even easier for our customers to discover great TV and make sure they never miss those virtual water cooler moments.”

#WatchOnSky will appear across Sky’s Twitter feeds, including @SkyHD and @SkyAtlantic for key shows, sporting events and movies on Sky. The company developed the functionality in-house for Twitter.

“Twitter users love to talk about TV shows, joining conversations about their favourite programmes with other fans across the UK and Ireland,” said Dan Biddle, head of broadcast, Twitter UK.

“#WatchOnSky is a really exciting development that will make it even easier than ever for Twitter users to spot social buzz about a show, and tune in or record it for later. We’re delighted to see Sky innovating with this service and look forward to seeing Twitter users enjoy this functionality.”

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John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com