Tech
Telewest Broadband has confirmed that it plans to roll out video-on-demand and a digital video recorder product during 2005.
Fellow cable operator ntl confirmed back in October that it will be launching a video-on-demand service next year as well.
Video-on-Demand
Speaking at the UBS 32nd Annual Media Week Conference in New York, Telewest's CFO Neil Smith indicated that Telewest's entire digital cable television service would be "re-positioned" around its VOD offering. The service, currently known as "Freedom," will offer movies on demand, and a "Catch-Up TV" service based on popular TV shows from the past week, month and season.
Digital cable operators in the US have already started to rollout VOD service. Time Warner Cable's service, for example, is known as "iControl" and features a range of on-demand channels, including one from the BBC. DVD-like play, fast-forward and rewind functionality is provided on VOD services.
Digital Video Recorders
Telewest plans to launch its DVR service in the second half of 2005. Its DVR box, provided by Scientific-Atlanta (which also provides DVR boxes to many US digital cable operators), will include three tuners and be able to store 80 hours of video. It will also support high definition content, although Telewest does not currently carry any channels broadcasting content in an HD format.
Fellow cable operator ntl confirmed back in October that it will be launching a video-on-demand service next year as well.
Video-on-Demand
Speaking at the UBS 32nd Annual Media Week Conference in New York, Telewest's CFO Neil Smith indicated that Telewest's entire digital cable television service would be "re-positioned" around its VOD offering. The service, currently known as "Freedom," will offer movies on demand, and a "Catch-Up TV" service based on popular TV shows from the past week, month and season.
Digital cable operators in the US have already started to rollout VOD service. Time Warner Cable's service, for example, is known as "iControl" and features a range of on-demand channels, including one from the BBC. DVD-like play, fast-forward and rewind functionality is provided on VOD services.
Digital Video Recorders
Telewest plans to launch its DVR service in the second half of 2005. Its DVR box, provided by Scientific-Atlanta (which also provides DVR boxes to many US digital cable operators), will include three tuners and be able to store 80 hours of video. It will also support high definition content, although Telewest does not currently carry any channels broadcasting content in an HD format.
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