HomeChoice To Offer Viewers Local News On Demand
Broadband internet and TV provider HomeChoice has signed a deal with ITV to pilot an on-demand local television news and information channel across its network.
The deal will see the service, provided by ITN, launch in the new year, offering HomeChoice subscribers 24-hour on-demand access to local news and weather summaries, concert and movie information in their areas plus a searchable TV news archive. At the push of a button viewers will be able to choose from an on-screen menu any relevant feature they would like to watch.
Commenting on the new venture, Clive Jones, chief executive of ITV News said: “As an organisation ITV is committed to taking the lead when it comes to delivering valued and cutting edge public services to our viewers. This service will mean, for the first time, one of ITV1’s regional news programmes will have its own 24-hour platform.”
The interactive channel will be branded London Tonight, allowing viewers to watch ITV’s flagship news programme for the capital at any time of the day or night, as well as catching up on the very latest updates.
Jones added: “The delivery of entertainment via a broadband connection will change the way we watch television and reinvent what the viewer can actually do with content, as this new channel illustrates. The new freedom that can be exercised by the viewer because of broadband delivery makes really local news possible for the first time.”
HomeChoice’s service is currently available to over 1.3 million homes in London, offering over 80 digital and on-demand TV channels to subscribers, as well as a bundled Internet connection with speeds of up to 2Mb in addition to their regular phone line.
Hugh Williams, executive director of programming at HomeChoice’s parent company Video Networks explained the benefits that the new service offered to viewers. He said: “Although VNL is a commercial company, we have always been committed to delivering services of public value. We believe that the on-demand functionality our service allows means the opportunities for local interest programmes within local communities are, for the first time, a reality. This new channel will be a valuable and welcomed addition to our high quality multi-channel offering.”
HomeChoice recently announced a programme of expansion, taking its service beyond the boundaries of the M25 for the first time and offering its services to an additional 100,000 homes across the south-east. The work was due to begin in November and should be completed by January 2005 at the latest (see HomeChoice Boosts Coverage To Customers Outside London).
Although HomeChoice offers viewers a range of proprietary on-demand channels the company has recently been signing carriage deals with third party broadcasters to secure a wider range of content for the platform. Sky recently allowed the company to carry its Sky Movies, Sky Sports 1, 2, 3 and Xtra channels, creating a new Sky-By-Wire brand to cover the venture (see Sky Boosts Audience Reach With HomeChoice Deal).
HomeChoice: 0800 072 4454 www.homechoice.co.uk
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