UNM’s ITV Stations Launch Free Net Access

United News & Media’s ITV franchises – Meridian, Anglia and HTV – have this week launched branded free internet service providers (ISPs) in a joint venture with existing free ISP LineOne. LineOne is joint owned by UNM and BT.

UNM hopes to use its existing television brands to attract users to the services and has launched a £500,000 television advertising campaign across the regions which will run throughout June. The ads provide viewers with a freephone number from which they can order the software necessary to register with the free services.

Customers of the free ISPs will connect to the internet via the ITV franchises’ existing websites which are powered and co-branded with LineOne. United claims that it is the first terrestrial television broadcaster to offer free Net access to its viewers. Meanwhile, BSkyB’s free ISP, skynow, launched on Tuesday this week (see Digital TV War Intensifies).

United News & Media: 0171 921 5000