Sky has officially joined the list of big name movie providers on the internet with the UK launch of Now TV, its pay-as-you-go internet TV service.

Going head to head with other providers such as Lovefilms and Netflix, Now TV’s initial service costs £15 a month and allows customers to access more than 600 movies, including both classic and new releases. The service also guarantees five new Sky Movies premiers every Friday. The service can be accessed through PCs, Android mobile phones and Macs and iOS devices.

Movies can also be rented on a pay-as-you-watch basis through Now TV with titles costing between 99p and £3.49 according to their release date.

It is expected that Sky will add sports channels to the package before the end of the year, and add entertainment content some time in 2013.

The hope is that Now TV will allow Sky to extend its reach to the 13 million UK households that do not subscribe to a paid TV service.

Both Netflix and Lovefilm offer their services at a much cheaper rate of £5.99 and £4.99 a month respectively. However, Sky’s managing director of sales and marketing, Stephen Van Rooyen was quick to defend Sky’s pricing saying: “We think our offering represents value as no other service in the UK is offering as many new films with five new premieres a week. We didn’t want to offer a service which was similar to ones out there at the moment.”

Now TV is the latest release by Sky allowing customers to access its content without the use of a satellite dish. Previous releases include Sky Go and Sky Player. However, this is the first pay-as-you-go offering from the broadcaster.

For all the latest news from Sky, Netflix and Lovefilm make sure you don’t miss out on MIPCOM 2012, held at the Palais des Festivals, Cannes, October 8-11. If you’re looking for accommodation then book with EAS now. With our expert knowledge of Cannes we’ll find you the best hotels, rented apartments and even luxury yachts right in the heart of the city. We can also organise nightly entertainment, take care of your transportation needs and reserve you tables at the best restaurants. Click on this link to fill in our request form.

It seems that MIPCOM is going from strength to strength, well according to the event’s latest attendance figures at any rate. The entertainment content market managed to pull in more than 12,500 people from 102 countries, including executives from 4,211 companies at last month’s event in Cannes. The increased attendance numbers were put down to a strong sales climate, expanding digital platforms and increased activity in developing markets.

Although the majority of business continued to be dominated by the major media players in the European market, there was significant increased activity from the developing market. The event’s Focus on Russia initiative was designed to educate international executives on the importance of the rapidly increasing Russian market, which is now worth more than €3.5 billion. It managed to attract senior executives from 160 different Russian companies resulting in a number of major deals. Twentieth Century Fox Distribution was just one company reporting success as it signed deals with Russian channels TNT, CTC and TV3 to run Russian versions of Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Bones, Tru Calling and Malcolm in the Middle.

And while the number of Russians at the event was up 20 percent on last year, Chinese participation also increased with the 52 Chinese companies present representing a 56 percent rise on last year’s figures. So if you want to be where the major players are then book accommodation for next year’s MIPCOM event EAS (Executive Accommodation and Services). With our expert knowledge of Cannes we’ll find you the best hotels, rented apartments and even luxury yachts right in the heart of the city. We can also organise nightly entertainment, take care of your transportation needs and reserve you tables at the best restaurants. Click on this link to fill in our request form.

Reed MIDEM has named Anne Sweeney, Disney/ABC Television Group (DATG) President and Disney Media Networks Co-chair, MIPCOM 2011 Personality of the Year, making her the first woman ever to receive the accolade. She will accept the award on Wednesday 5 October, during a gala dinner for industry executives. The 27th annual MIPCOM, the world’s entertainment content market, will be held on3-6 October 2011 at the Palais des Festivals, in Cannes, France.

Anne Sweeney will give a keynote address on Wednesday 5 October, as part of MIPCOM’s Media Mastermind series of presentations.

Named the ‘Most Powerful Woman in Entertainment’ by The Hollywood Reporter, one of the ’50 Most Powerful Women in Business’ by Fortune and one of ‘The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’ by Forbes, Anne Sweeney is responsible for The Walt Disney Company’s entertainment and news television properties globally.

“We are extremely pleased to honour Anne Sweeney as our MIPCOM 2011 Personality of the Year in recognition of her unparalleled contributions to the global entertainment industry,” said Paul Zilk, Chief Executive of Reed MIDEM. “Of special note is her contribution to the expansion of Disney’s portfolio of channels, brands and programming worldwide, as well as her visionary leadership in fostering content on emerging digital platforms.”

“I am so very honored to be the recipient of  MIPCOM’s 2011 ‘Personality of the Year,’ said Anne Sweeney. “However the accomplishments which have led to this honor are not mine alone.  They are the result of the tireless efforts of so very many talented colleagues.  This event will allow me to acknowledge and celebrate everyone on the Disney/ABC Television Group and Disney Media Distribution teams, who not only create some of the most acclaimed and popular programming around the globe, but also continually develop new, innovative distribution methods that meet the ever-evolving needs of consumers.”

In 2005, Anne Sweeney led the industry into the digital era when the Disney/ABC Television Group became the first media company to put television content on new platforms. The Group was the first to leverage iTunes, the first to introduce an ad-supported full episode player online and the first to deliver a network video application for the revolutionary iPad.  Internationally, the division was responsible in recent years for groundbreaking, advertising-supported VOD deals for network series with a variety of distributors.  All were first-ever deals of their kind in their respective markets and helped establish DATG as a leading innovator in the global distribution marketplace.

Anne Sweeney joined the Walt Disney Company in February 1996 as President of Disney Channel and Executive Vice President of Disney/ABC Cable Networks. Previously, she was Chairman and CEO of FX Networks since 1993. Before joining Fox, she spent 12 years at Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, in various executive positions.

Anne Sweeney is active in organisations both within and outside the television industry and is a board member of A&E Television Networks, the Paley Center for Media, the American Institute and the Special Olympics.

Make the most of your time at MIPCOM and optimise your return on investment by coming prepared: plan your agenda, promote your business, and prepare your logistics.

Click here to read more.

Utilize your budgets by chartering our privately owned yachts. Most think of a yacht charter as a huge expense. We have some lovely 2 and 3 berth/cabin yacths located in the Port of Cannes. Rates under 8000 Euros for the event week.

Unlike a typical charter, there are no APA fees, berthing or any additional costs, only your rental fee and refundable security deposit. All boat rates include 4 nights.

Our selection includes 3 bed/3 bath en-suite and 2 bed/2 bath en-suite. All have areas for small cocktail or meetings throughout your stay. Enquire today.