UKTV’s first IPTV deal with BT Vision

Multichannel broadcaster, UKTV, has defined its first ever IPTV deal. The three-year agreement with BT Vision covers both channel-branded VOD (video-on-demand) content which will be available from today, and the network’s award-winning portfolio of linear, paid-for television channels, beginning with Watch, Gold and Alibi later this year.

UKTV’s VOD offering will be available to BT Vision customers on a subscription and transactional basis, and will include programming from Really, Eden, Good Food and Home’s new and exclusive commissioned and acquired programme catalogue.

UKTV’s branded linear channels will then be streamed to BT Vision set-top boxes from late 2012. Initial channels on the platform will be Watch, Gold and Alibi with further UKTV branded channels including Good Food, Eden and Home earmarked for future development on the BT Vision service.

Darren Childs, CEO, UKTV comments “I’m delighted that BT Vision subscribers will soon benefit from the launch of our branded channels, meaning great UKTV programming is available anytime and on demand.

“UKTV has a unique group of popular and highly impactful brands spanning Entertainment, Lifestyle and Factual and this deal is recognition of the breadth and appeal of that portfolio to British television viewers. As a network, we had our highest performing year on record in 2011, and we are absolutely committed to extending the reach of our network.”

Marc Watson, CEO, BT Vision added: “We are delighted to be able to welcome the wealth of programmes that UKTV has to offer on to BT Vision, for both on-demand and in the future, linear TV. This is great news for BT Vision customers. It is the first content deal we are announcing which includes linear TV – watch out for more exciting linear deals that are on the way.”