Orange UK prepares to launch TV by end of year

摘要

Orange is set to enter the UK's competitive digital-television sector with the launch of a hybrid digital-terrestrial and video-on-demand service before the end of the year. The mobile telephone and broadband service provider is now conducting a "friendly" trial - with existing Orange customers - to test the technology and the user interface. The system is similar to that of BT Vision (which launched at the end of 2006), offering linear channels via digital-terrestrial service Freeview and additional IPTV content, mainly VOD, via an Ethernet connection in the set-top box. "The friendly trial is going well and people are responding to it positively," said Tim Pearson, director of IPTV at the France Telecom-owned Orange UK. "From a user interface experience it will be very similar to the French service, with 'Anglo' tweaks." Orange is working with broadcast services company Red Bee on some of the on-screen elements of the service, including 44 different "idents". "It provides a very clear Orange experience and will serve suggestions [of programmes] in a barker channel," said Pearson. "It's not got to be intrusive, though. We don't want the brand popping up every 20 seconds.".