NBC to send on-demand TV to Europe

Shows such as Heroes may be available pre-broadcast in the UK under NBC Universal plans to launch a global video-on-demand service.

The production company is agreeing distribution deals in up to ten European and Asian countries for the TV Box service. In some markets, the content will be part of existing subscription packages.

NBC's international TV head Belinda Menendez described it as the television version of PictureBox, the network's premium on-demand movie channel, which is currently available through Top Up TV and Tiscali TV.

NBC and BT yesterday announced that PictureBox would also join BT Vision, the TV service which combines Freeview and on-demand content over DSL broadband, from May 5.

TV Box will carry current and past NBC series and be updated regularly. Menendez said big titles such as Heroes may be available before they are broadcast for an extra cost.

Menendez, who is based in London, told The Hollywood Reporter that agreements were imminent in up to ten countries. "TV Box is the next step in the evolution of our branded on-demand product offering, it's the television version of PictureBox," she said.