ITV

Tag: BT Vision

  • BT Vision in deal with Universal Networks for live streaming channels

    BT Vision in deal with Universal Networks for live streaming channels

    MUMBAI: BT Vision in the UK has signed a contract with Universal Networks International, the international channels division of NBCUniversal. This will see leading channel brands, Universal Channel, Syfy and E! Entertainment added to its linear line-up, which will launch in the coming weeks.

    The three channels will be streamed live and, early in 2013, BT Vision customers will also be able to watch specific programmes on-demand.

    Universal Channel’s drama offering includes UK premieres of US crime franchises ‘Law&Order: Special Victims Unit‘ and ‘Criminal Intent‘, as well as ‘Rookie Blue‘ and ‘Flashpoin‘t.

    Syfy’s blend of programming comprises drama, movies, reality and factual entertainment from the fantasy, supernatural and science fiction genres. The channel’s content includes dramas ‘Haven‘ and ‘Warehouse 13‘, futuristic thriller ‘Continuum‘ and paranormal investigation series ‘Fact or Faked‘.

    Recently refreshed with a new on-air look and “Pop of Culture” tagline, E! is the destination channel for fans of celebrity, entertainment news and popular culture. The channel’s popular original programming includes the reality show ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians‘; the Joan Rivers’ hosted weekly celebrity fashion report, ‘Fashion Police‘ and ‘Live from the Red Carpet‘, offering viewers unparalleled access to the awards season’s red carpet action.

    The three new channels join BT Vision’s linear offering, which now includes Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Real Time, British Eurosport 1 and 2, FX, National Geographic, National Geographic WILD and UKTV’s Gold, Watch and Alibi. BT will be announcing more new channels shortly.

    BT CEO TV Marc Watson said, “Universal Channel, Syfy and E! make a fantastic contribution to our channels offering at launch. They offer the best quality drama, hit supernatural thrillers and popular entertainment shows that viewers love. As we expand the number of channels available soon for BT Vision customers, we hope that there will be something there for everyone. We will cater for drama lovers, comedy addicts and sports fans in equal measure. We are not finished yet and we will be announcing some more much-loved channels to complete our roster.”

    Universal Networks International UK MD Laurence Dawkin-Jones said, “We are delighted to be able to bring BT Vision customers three of our core channel brands and the range of high-calibre programming they boast. From exclusive hit dramas to the world’s most-talked about reality series, our channels will make a unique and compelling contribution to the BT Vision offering.”

  • HBO launches SVoD service in the UK

    HBO launches SVoD service in the UK

    MUMBAI: Home Box Office (HBO) has launched a subscription video on demand (SVoD) service in the UK.

    The launch marks HBO’s first entry into the UK marketplace bringing its renowned programs to audiences in the region under a stand alone HBO branded destination.

    HBO president, programming distribution and international Simon Sutton says, “HBO’s programming has always done very well in the UK and the arrival of an HBO service has been long desired and anticipated. We are very excited to offer HBO programming in a subscription video on demand format, where we can deliver our acclaimed series and specials to UK audiences on their schedule. This opportunity enables us to raise our profile in the region, while providing viewers with a distinct HBO environment.”

    With launch dates to be determined by each of the distributors, the HBO SVoD service will be made available on BT Vision, Tiscali TV and Virgin Media. The service will provide at least 50 hours of HBO’s acclaimed original programming upon its full rollout, including award-winning series, miniseries, documentaries and comedy specials.

    On 1 July, 2001, HBO first launched its SVoD service, HBO On Demand, in the US. HBO On Demand not only allows subscribers to watch HBO programming when they wish and as much as they like, they can also enjoy the benefits of pausing, rewinding and fast-forwarding their selections.

    The programming line-up on the UK HBO on demand service will be updated on a weekly basis and will provide consumers with the freedom to enjoy HBO programming whenever they want. Over time, the library on the service will build to include all episodes of the featured HBO series, starting with the first episode of season one and growing each consecutive week.

    Included among the programs available at launch will be the shows The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

    The service will also feature miniseries Band of Brothers, Angels in America and From the Earth to the Moon.

  • BT, Microsoft & Philips join hands to unveil BT Vision in UK

    BT, Microsoft & Philips join hands to unveil BT Vision in UK

     MUMBAI: BT has announced the commercial launch of BT Vision, its new television and entertainment service. BT Vision uses the Microsoft TV Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Edition software platform and an advanced Philips set-top box to deliver a next-generation digital television service to BT Total Broadband customers across the UK.

    BT Vision combines more than 40 DTT (digital terrestrial television )-based freeview channels, digital recording capability and a library of video-on-demand content delivered over broadband. This gives viewers more choice without the need to commit to a compulsory monthly TV subscription.

    An official release stated that BT, Microsoft Corp and Philips worked closely together to bring the full experience of BT Vision to the home. The Philips-designed set-top box offers advanced technology, including 80 hours of hard disk recording capability, two tuners, smart card reader, high-definition TV and numerous extension capabilities. The set-top box enables viewers to “time shift” programmes at their convenience, pausing live shows or recording them to watch at a later date. In addition, a “catch-up TV” feature gives viewers the convenience of viewing TV programmes they may have missed from the previous week.

    “BT Vision is a ground-breaking television service, giving consumers choice and flexibility without requiring them to be tied to a monthly TV contract,” said BT Vision chief executive Dan Marks. “Microsoft TV has given BT the power to build a service that we feel addresses a real market opportunity, enabling our customers to switch on to better TV.”

    BT Vision offers a variety of content combined with advanced television services. Further highlights include the following:
    – Varied content from Disney, Sony BMG, Universal, DreamWorks, National Geographic, Viacom and the BBC as well as independent programmers.
    – “Near-live” on-demand Premiership football action, starting in summer 2007.
    — Interactive services such as games.
    — Access to the phone book via the television.

    “BT Vision is a revolution for TV services in the UK. BT’s pioneering approach and Microsoft’s next-generation IPTV technologies have enabled a unique TV service that lets consumers control their TV experience,” said Microsoft’s TV division corporate vice president Enrique Rodriguez. “BT’s trusted brand is well-placed to bring exciting connected and personal television experiences to a wide range of consumers in the UK.”

    The announcement is the latest in a wave of European IPTV deployments based on the Microsoft TV software platform and heralds a new era of more compelling personal and connected TV experiences available to consumers.

  • British Telecom inks VoD deal with Momentum Pictures

    British Telecom inks VoD deal with Momentum Pictures

    MUMBAI: British Telecom has inked a new video-on-demand (VoD) film agreement with independent film distributor, Momentum Pictures, for its next-generation TV service – BT Vision, which is scheduled to launch in August to September 2006.

    Momentum Pictures is one of the UK’s largest independent film distributors. This agreement will provide access to Momentum Pictures’ catalogue including titles such as – Lost in Translation, Racing Stripes, Where the Truth Lies, O, Brother Where Art Thou?, Vera Drake, Lord of War and Broken Flowers, amongst others.

    BT Vision customers will be able to enjoy a vast range of film, music and television programming all available on-demand as well as all the Freeview channels, plus interactive and communications and all available on the TV, with no compulsory subscription.

    BT Vision CEO Dan Marks said, “We are delighted to have concluded this agreement with Momentum Pictures, which has been responsible for distributing some of the most successful and most interesting independent cinema of the past few years. Our agreement with Momentum represents our commitment to bring the best and most varied selection of movies to our customers.”

    Momentum managing director Xavier Marchand added, “We are very pleased that BT’s broadband customers will have access to many of Momentum Pictures’ titles. BT Vision and interactive access to movies are extremely exciting concepts and we eagerly anticipate the launch of the service.”