BSkyB targets rivals with broadband online gaming

BSkyB is gearing up to take on AOL and Yahoo! with the launch of an online gaming service through its new broadband offering. It will be launched later this year.

The subscription service, which will target children and existing gamers, will offer online multi-player games and downloadable games. It will target viewers of Sky One in particular, with games based on existing programming.

Sky is currently recruiting a team to lead the project, including a head of PC gaming and marketing manager at Sky Networked Services, who will report to games and enhanced TV director Adrian Pilkington.

The satellite operator already offers a range of gambling games and interactive television, but is keen to exploit the commercial opportunities presented by its recently launched broadband service.

A Sky spokesman says/ “Online gaming is just one of the many opportunities that we see arising from the growth of our broadband business.”

Last week, Sky bought online publishing company Mykindaplace as part of its strategy to build an online offering. The pay-TV operator also announced it had added 77,000 customers in the three months between April and June, with revenues in its financial year rising by 8% to &£4.15bn.