BSkyB launches Sky+ 'Remote Record'

[BGonaSTICK]

BSkyB has launched its Sky+ Remote Record service, enabling subscribers of its digital TV recorder service to set recordings via the web. Last year Sky launched a facility to set up Sky+ recordings via mobile phones.

The web service, which is free, offers a seven-day TV guide. To record programmes remotely, subscribers merely highlight a show and click on the red button - just like browsing the Sky+ electronic programme guide (EPG) and pressing red on the remote control.

Before using the Remote Record facility subscribers need to register by obtaining a My Sky account at Sky.com, then complete the registration process by entering account details in the Sky Active service on TV. The service allows recordings to be set up outside the UK. At the end of December 2006 there were 2.13m Sky+ boxes in 1.97m UK homes. The Remote Record service also works on Sky HD set-top boxes which incorporate a Sky+ recorder: at the end of December Sky had 184,000 HD customers.

Stephen Van Rooyen, Sky's director of product management, said: "Remote Record is perfect for those situations when you hear about a TV show and want to record it there and then, if you're stuck late at work or if you've simply forgotten to record that programme you want to watch. It's about making TV fit around people's increasingly busy lives."