MUMBAI: UK pay TV platform BSkyB has secured a multi-year deal to broadcast The Academy Awards in the UK.

The broadcaster claims that the new deal with Buena Vista International Television (BVITV), which commences next year will afford the most comprehensive coverage of the awards ever seen on UK television.

In India the Oscar Awards will air live on Star Movies early in the morning on 28 February. Sky Networks Deputy MD Sophie Turner Laing said, "As the home of great entertainment on UK television, Sky is the natural place to see the biggest and most prestigious film event of the year, and will cover the event in a way that no other broadcaster could."

Sky's coverage will utilise the whole of Sky Networks. This will include live, coverage of the event itself on Sky Movies, extended
highlights shows and additional themed programming on Sky One, up-to-the-minute news coverage on Sky News. There will also be programming on Sky Travel and the Biography Channel.

In addition, Sky's interactive and .com platforms will supplement the on-air programming with behind-the-scenes coverage, competitions and other extras, designed to bring Sky viewers closer to the glamour of The Academy Awards.

Sky Movies will also air a month long season of films charting an A-Z of the Academy Awards. Sky News will have regular news stories in the weeks leading up to the awards, with a dedicated Academy Awards team in place for live coverage of the event itself from the red carpet.