Sky Launching Subscription Web TV Service

Customers in the UK and Ireland will soon be able to subscribe to a package of Sky channels online without the need to subscribe to the TV-based service as well. The news was announced by Mike Darcy, Sky’s COO, at the Media Guardian Changing Broadcast conference in London today.

Though no official launch date was announced, at some point in the next few months, some of Sky’s most popular channels will be available on the Sky Player web service. The exact content is still unknown, but according to WebUser, Darcey said the service would offer sports channels.

According to a Sky press release, customers will be able to choose from a number of online subscription packages. Pricing wasn’t available. Existing Sky TV subscribers will still be able to access the Sky Player’s content online.

Wonder when this idea will make its way across the pond. Both Showtime and HBO only offer library content through services such as iTunes. HBO was experimenting with its own broadband offering, but that was a confusing mess. When will premium channels offer a subscription-based online option here in the U.S?