ONdigital has today announced details of its interactive plans, which include total internet access for all subscribers and a range of on screen shopping and entertainment services.
The digital pay TV broadcaster will start the roll-out of services at the end of this year. Email will be available to all subscribers early in 2000 after an initial trial period. This will be followed by the full range of banking services and shopping facilities. A travel service will include a last minute booking facility and a subscriber offers will provide exclusive deals for goods, which may be combined with a TV auction channel.
A second games channel will be launched which is to include online multiplayer games and prize competitions. Spot the Ball will also be brought to television screens, possibly during live football matches.
Announcing the plans, chief executive Stuart Prebble said: “ONdigital will offer a wide range of interactive services to its subscribers. Unlike satellite, we have also decided to include the opportunity of access to the internet to our customers through their televisions.”
In his recent speech timetabling the digital agenda, culture secretary Chris Smith said that everyone should have access to the internet before analogue television is switched off (see Chris Smith Sets Out Digital Agenda).
Rival broadcaster Sky Digital is expected to fully launch its interactive services next month. Restricted facilities on Open, which is jointly owned by BSkyB, Matsushita, BT and HSBC, are already available to Sky Digital subscribers (see Open Launches £20 Million Marketing Campaign).
ONdigital: 0171 819 8000
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