BBC's Olympics channels coming to Sky

Sports fans will be able to watch every second of the BBC's 2012 Olympics coverage on Sky with the help of 24 brand new channels, dedicated to the London Games. More than 10million Sky homes will be able to watch live coverage of the Games through two dozen brand new BBC channels. In addition, more than 5million Sky homes with Sky+HD set-top boxes will be able to watch the coverage in stunning high definition to make their Olympics experience even richer and more immersive. The innovative agreement will mean that Sky homes will have access to comprehensive coverage with up to 24 live dedicated HD and SD channels running simultaneously at peak times during the Olympics. The 48 brand new channels, which are being created specifically for the Olympics, will launch into Sky's Electronic Program Guide and will show every sport from cycling to archery, swimming to wrestling, tennis to the 100metre final. Alongside coverage on the existing BBC channels, Sky homes will be able to enjoy 2,500 hours' worth of live BBC coverage throughout the Games. What's more, because Sky homes will be able to view the channels via the Sky EPG, Sky+ homes will be able to record the coverage to watch at a time that suits them so that they can record every one of their favourite events and not miss any of the action. As with the rest of the HD channels on the Sky platform, the new channels will be broadcast at 1080i format and in wide-screen to enhance the viewing experience. The BBC's Olympics coverage will also be accessible via the BBC Red Button. A huge event Stephen van Rooyen, Managing Director of Sky's Sales and Marketing Group, said: "The London Olympics is a huge event in 2012 and one that we are all looking forward to here at Sky. "We believe that the best way to watch the Olympics is in glorious HD as it offers viewers the best possible viewing experience and, supported by Sky+, the flexibility of watching the action at a time that suits our customers. "We're delighted that every single Sky home will have the opportunity to enjoy unprecedented coverage of the biggest UK sporting event in a generation." When watching the coverage with Sky+, customers will be able to record, rewind and replay crucial moments throughout the Olympics and also use this feature to record their favourite sports and events from the Games automatically on their Sky box. The Sky+ Remote Record option also allows customers to set their Sky+ or Sky+HD box to record from mobile devices or the web. The 48 new channels will be added to the sports section of Sky's Electronic Programme Guide from July 24. The channels are free-to-air and available to any Sky home, including Freesat from Sky homes. The HD channels are available on any Sky+HD box and do not require a subscription, but do require an HD ready TV. Customers will require a Sky subscription in order to use Sky+. In addition to the live Olympic coverage scheduled to broadcast over the 24 new BBC channels, comprehensive Olympic coverage will also be available on BBC One, BBC One HD, BBC HD, BBC Two, BBC Three and the BBC News Channel, of all which will also be available to all 10.3million Sky homes.