Sky launches cellphone-only sports

Sports fans will be able to watch Sky Sport’s main channels on their mobiles for $15.99 a month, through a new service launched by the pay-television company.

The mobile-only version of its Fan Pass online sports service lets people watch Sky Sport channels 1 to 4, but is only available on newer iPhones and some Android phones.

Sky Television chief executive John Fellet first signalled the service was in the pipeline last year, as Sky attempted to respond to an exodus of traditional satellite payTV subscribers.

Sky said people who bought the mobile service would not be able to transfer it to their television using devices such as Chromecast or Apple’s AirPlay.

The service is available on a casual basis, with no minimum sign-up period.

The launch follows a separate agreement between Sky and Spark announced last week, under which Spark broadband customers on ‘‘unlimited’’ plans will be able to access the full version of Fan Pass for $30 a month – so long as they sign up for a year and don’t cancel the contract within the first six months. Fan Pass usually costs $55.99 a month.

Sky’s strategy director, George Macfarlane, said: ‘‘We know that there’s a segment of sport fans who are happy to watch on a mobile screen, and we’re pleased to be able to meet their needs at a lower price point.’’

Sky has said the mobile-only version of Fan Pass will work on iPhones, from model 5 and above, and Samsung smartphones from the S3 or newer, as well as some other Android phones, including Huawei, LG, Motorola, Google Pixel and Nokia devices.

‘‘Any other third-tier phone brand that runs an up-to-date version of Android and is within screen limitations is also compatible,’’ a spokeswoman said.

However, phones could not have screens that were larger than six inches.