About Ben Ayers

Group Head of PR at blinkbox

Author Archive | Ben Ayers

blinkbox are hiring at Silicon Milkroundabout 2013 – say hi at pitch number 55

By on May 9, 2013 in News

blinkbox are out in force at Silicon Milkroundabout 5.0 this weekend and we’d love to hear from you.

We’re the digital entertainment arm of Tesco, the UK’s biggest retailer and are the driving force behind the fast growing subscription free movie and TV streaming service blinkbox, the newly launched Clubcard TV and two exciting new entertainment services launching soon – blinkbox music and blinkbox books.

We’re building a 30,000 square foot digital entertainment hub in the heart of Farringdon to house these new services following  the addition of 100 staff in 2012 and 100 or so more we plan to hire this year.

We have open Android, iOS and .NET dev roles available and for a full list of great opportunities at blinkbox, check out http://jobs.blinkbox.com. Read full post →

Tesco’s Clubcard TV wins exclusive UK rights to Elite modelling series

By on May 9, 2013 in News
Jessie J

Jessie J features in Elite New Face on Clubcard TV

The first Elite New Face modelling series is now available exclusively on Tesco’s Clubcard TV service following a deal with digital entertainment curator FilmBuff.

The debut nine-part series follows the intensely emotional journey of a group of contestants from the Elite Model Look contest, from regional castings all the way to the World Final and, for the lucky winners, their first Fashion Week.

The Elite New Face series is available to 16 million Clubcard members exclusively for free on the ad-supported service. Tesco recently became the first retailer in the UK to reward its customers with their own online movie and TV service. Read full post →

New blinkbox TV advert urges Brits to stay in – and has pop at Netflix and Lovefilm Instant

By on May 3, 2013 in News
blinkbox TV advert 2013

The TV advert for movie and TV streaming service blinkbox shows a rambler comically attacked by wildlife

We’ve unveiled our latest advertising campaign with a tongue in cheek message – and a pop at some rivals.

The new push, with a TV ad that breaks in ITV primetime this Friday followed by key spots in Britain’s Got Talent on Saturday night, uses the dramatic new movies available in May to point out the ‘dangers’ of the big bad world – and encourage Brits to stay in.

It also hits home the credentials of the service, which boasts considerably more of the 100 top grossing films of the last 18 months than big name rivals, with 76 titles on blinkbox versus just three on Lovefilm Instant and six on Netflix. Read full post →

HBO’s Girls season 2 available on blinkbox

By on April 22, 2013 in News
Girls season 2

Girls season 2 on blinkbox

The second season of the Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning show Girls can be yours to own and watch instantly on blinkbox from today.

Ahead of the DVD and Blu-ray release, Girls season 2 can be viewed on a number of devices including PC, Mac, Smart devices (TV, Blu-Ray players, Set Top boxes), iPad, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Sharp, intelligent and refreshingly funny, Girls is the unmissable comedy combining the multi-award winning team of Judd Apatow (The Five Year Engagement, Bridesmaids) and the sensational actress, writer and director Lena Dunham (Tiny Furniture). Taking a comic look at the assorted humiliations and rare triumphs of a group of women in their early 20s, Girls also stars Allison Williams (Marnie), Jemima Kirke (Jessa), Zosia Mamet (Shosanna), Alex Karpovsky (Ray) and Adam Driver as Adam. Read full post →

April highlights: New movies and TV series on blinkbox

By on April 9, 2013 in Highlights
The Hobbit

The Hobbit, on blinkbox from 8th April

A round up of new movies and TV series on blinkbox in April 2013

The Hobbit, available from 8th April Rent: £3.49/Buy: £10.99

Game of Thrones seasons 1 and 2 available now Buy series 1: £17.99/Buy series 2: £17.99

Pitch Perfect, available from 15th April Rent: £3.49/Buy: £10.99

Seven Psychopaths, available from 15th April Rent: £3.49/Buy: £10.99

Jack Reacher, available from 22nd April Rent: £3.49/Buy: £10.99

Life Of Pi, 29th April Rent: £3.49/Buy: £10.99

Argo, out now Rent: £3.49/Buy: £10.99

Looper, out now Rent: £3.49/Buy: £10.99

Twilight Breaking Dawn: Part 2, out now Rent: £3.49/Buy: £10.99

Tesco adds BBC Worldwide cookery, comedy and drama to Clubcard TV

By on April 3, 2013 in News
Clubcard TV

Clubcard TV

Tesco has secured a raft of popular cookery, comedy and drama programmes for innovative ad-supported streaming service Clubcard TV following a deal with BBC Worldwide.

The agreement, which includes shows featuring star chefs Antonio Carluccio, Ken Hom and Gary Rhodes, will see hours of BBC Worldwide content made available to its 16 million Clubcard members via the ad supported service.

Comedies Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Goodness Gracious Me and Alistair McGowan’s Big Impression join dramas Carrie’s War and Blackpool and children’s classics Stig of the Dump and The Secret Garden on the free service, which can be accessed online at www.clubcardtv.com. Read full post →

Clubcard TV: Tesco rewards loyal customers with free movies and TV

By on March 6, 2013 in News
The Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption is available on Clubcard TV

Hundreds of movies and TV shows will be available to watch for free online from today, with content specifically tailored to family and kids.

Tesco is the first retailer in the UK to reward its customers with their own online movie and TV service. Content spanning comedy, drama, kids TV, romance, thrillers and documentaries is on offer with no charges, contracts or subscriptions. Read full post →

Tesco apppoints MDs for new blinkbox digital entertainment services

By on March 4, 2013 in News
Gavin Sathianathan, MD blinkboxbooks

Gavin Sathianathan

Tesco has appointed the MDs for its three new digital entertainment services, confirmed today as blinkboxmusic, blinkboxbooks and Clubcard TV.

The new digital entertainment services, which complement the existing movie and TV streaming offering acquired by Tesco in 2011, will exist as separate entities united under the blinkbox brand – the home of digital entertainment for Tesco customers.

Gavin Sathianathan joins from Facebook as Managing Director of blinkboxbooks, the eBooks service being developed following the acquisition of Mobcast in September 2012.

Mark Bennett will join the blinkbox family from Sainsbury’s to lead blinkboxmusic, a music service to be rolled out following the acquisition of WE7 in June 2012. Both are expected to launch later in the year.
Read full post →

blinkbox and MGM ink James Bond movies deal

By on February 15, 2013 in News
Skyfall

Skyfall

blinkbox has reached an agreement with Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) for the legendary James Bond movies, including the latest installment, SKYFALL.

From Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, SKYFALL is the most successful Bond movie of all time, grossing over $1 billion at the worldwide box office. It will be available to rent and buy on the service from Monday, along with the remaining 22 films in the Bond franchise that will be available to buy. Read full post →

Valentine’s Day most ‘overrated’ night out say 42 per cent of Brits

By on February 14, 2013 in News

In a blow for restaurants and rose sellers everywhere, new research commissioned by blinkbox suggests that Valentine’s Day may be losing its allure as nearly half (42 per cent) of Brits declare it the most ‘overrated’ night out of the calendar year, ahead of New Year’s Eve, Christmas and birthday celebrations.

The sentiment was echoed equally by both men and women, with the findings also revealing that 45 per cent of Brits are opting for a night in this Valentine’s Day with the majority (36 per cent) planning a special meal cooked by their partner followed by a movie. Ten per cent are planning on spending Valentine’s Day with their friends rather than their partners and 2 per cent will be spending the evening flirting on social networking sites.

Those aged 45 – 55 were most likely to have a night out while those staying in are mostly in the 16 – 44 age group indicating that for the young at least, staying in for the most romantic day of the year is the new going out. Read full post →