Telecom takes on Sky with 5000 hours of Lightbox content...

Lightbox will provide up to 5000 hours of TV content for Kiwis, as Telecom takes the fight to internet-television industry rival Sky.

The service will now offer additional first-run exclusives such as Outlander, Alpha House, Betas and Arrested Development, alongside previously announced titles 24: Live Another Day, Vikings and Mad Men.

Shows announced today comprise a fraction of the total 5000 hour line-up that will be available at launch, and even more shows will be added to the service on an ongoing basis with the service also confirming that deals have been signed with local producers.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have Outlander on Lightbox," says Maria Mahony, head of programming and local content, Lightbox.

"It’s a captivating show. New Zealand’s passionate Outlander clan has been very vocal in its excitement, and we’re confident other viewers will become converts too.”

A beta launch of the service was also announced - with a selection of New Zealanders invited to trial Lightbox ahead of an expected full launch toward the end of August.