BSkyB acquires Acetrax and beefs up its connected TV credentials

Somewhat ignored among the furore surrounding its infamous shareholder and the news of its hugely impressive last quarter, BSkyB has made a characteristically smart strategic acquisition of over-the-top (OTT) Internet TV provider Acetrax, rapidtvnews.com reports.

Acetrax’s integration with connected devices on the majority of Smart TV platforms provides BSkyB with a device-reach that is unparalleled in Europe.

Acetrax provides a transactional video-on-demand service to a wide range of Internet-connected devices including TVs, set-top boxes, personal computers, tablets as well as mobiles and claims to be currently addressing 80 million broadband households in seven countries, distributing content from Hollywood majors and European studios.

It is embedded in products from the likes of Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Toshiba, Grundig, Asus, Acer, Lenovo, Netgear and D-Link, and looks like being a perfect complement to BSkyB’s NOW TV OTT Internet TV service which is targeting the 13 million UK households who do not currently subscribe to any subscription pay TV service.