Cable Giants Launch On-Demand TV And Movie Services
Cable providers Telewest Broadband and NTL have launched their first fully fledged on-demand services today, allowing Telewest’s digital cable customers in Bristol to view films provided by FilmFlex, while NTL customers in Glasgow will be the first to try its on-demand TV service, dubbed NTL On Demand.
Telewest’s new service is initially available to around two thousand of Telewest’s digital TV customers, although a nation-wide roll-out is planned. The new service allows viewers to select which films they want to watch, and when, simply by using their remote control and Telewest set-top box.
In addition, the company provides viewers with the same control over their films as with DVD or video, allowing pause, fast forward and rewind controls over the 24-hour rental period.
Commenting on the new product line, Eric Tveter, president and chief operating officer at the company said: “We’re transforming TV as we know it by launching a truly on-demand movie service, with DVD functionality. And this is only the first step – we plan to ramp up our TV-on-demand services over the year with additional TV, music and niche content to appeal to all of our one million digital TV customers.”
Telewest’s film content is provided by FilmFlex, who will launch the service with a range of new releases, including 50 First Dates, Kill Bill: Volume 2, Gothika, Hildago, The Station Agent, and Welcome to the Jungle. Telewest also promise several UK TV premieres in February, including Spider-Man 2 and King Arthur.
Elsewhere, NTL’s movie service is also provided by FilmFlex, while its on-demand TV offering gives viewers more choice over and above scheduled programming. The TV service provides access to hundreds of hours of additional programming, including advertiser-free children’s programmes, a ‘Pick of the Week’ option showing a selection of top shows from the previous seven days, a music video jukebox service, and adult content.
NTL states that no new equipment, installation or additional subscription is required to view its on-demand services, with “ntl On Demand” appearing within its existing programme guide when it becomes available to viewers in their region. Customers will then be able to purchase films and TV programmes via the remote control, keeping the process as simple as possible.
Commenting on new services Simon Duffy, chief executive of NTL, said: “We invested over £9 billion in our high speed fibre optic network so that we could provide leading access services to our customers. VOD is the latest example of this. ntl On Demand gives our customers a wide choice of quality viewing at a time that suits them. VOD is TV the way it’s meant to be.”
Meanwhile, Telewest has also announced the investment of around £20 million in the development of a TV-on-demand and personal video recorder (PVR) for deployment in 2005. The move will put the cable provider in direct competition with satellite giant Sky, which already provides numerous pay-per-view TV and movie channels, some with staggered start times to cater for on-demand viewing, as well as offering its premium Sky+ PVR.
Commenting on the new services Andy Birchall, chairman of the ON Demand Group, owners of FilmFlex, stated: “After three years in development, FilmFlex is delighted that this initiative has resulted in a stunning, breakthrough VOD service for cable viewers in the UK. FilmFlex is the first UK movies on demand service to have the backing of two major Hollywood entertainment companies behind it, which combined with content from other major and independent film studios, will deliver a top quality consumer experience.”
Telewest recently boosted its channel portfolio, securing the rights to broadcast a raft of new channels, including E4 and the much anticipated More4, Eurosport, TV Travel Shop, The Community Channel and Teachers TV (see Telewest Boosts Digital Channel Portfolio).
NTL: 01256 752000 www.ntl.com Telewest: 0845 142 0000 www.telewest.co.uk
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