Competish between U.K. broadcasters in the digital universe looks set to intensify this year as commercial web ITV and paybox BSkyB both unveiled new video-on-demand services.
ITV will relaunch its Web site, Itv.com, as an entertainment portal at the end of March. Broadband users will be given access to most ITV programs up to 30 days after broadcast for free. They also will be able to dip into an archive containing 1,000 hours of programming.
ITV has tapped Annelies van den Belt, former director of new media at the Telegraph newspaper group, as managing director of broadband.
BSkyB also plans to launch a VOD service this year. Viewers will be able to access programs through Sky+ recorders, used by more than 2 million subscribers.
The number of Sky+ recorders installed grew by more than 50% last year.
BSkyB said its research has revealed a significant change in viewing habits among its Sky+ subs. Time-shifting accounts for 12.2% of total viewing through Sky+ boxes, said the satcaster.
Telco BT, which launched broadband television service BT Vision in December, announced Wednesday that it now has 10 million broadband subscribers.
As well as an archive of TV programs, BT Vision offers Hollywood movies; top league soccer matches also will be available later this year.
U.K. webs Channel 4, Five and the BBC all launched their own VOD services last year.
Contact Leo Barraclough at
leo.barraclough@variety.com