Public-service broadcasters begin talks on joint push-VOD project for Freeview

摘要

The UK's public-service broadcasters are in talks about creating a "push" video-on-demand service on the Freeview digital-terrestrial platform. Such a service, which would require the backing of manufacturers, could be an extension to Freeview Playback, the brand of digital video recorders (DVR) based on Freeview-approved standards for recording programmes. There are 170,000 such boxes in the market (NMM September 14, 2007). One technology company familiar with the plans said: "The BBC is talking to other broadcasters to gauge their interest. Freeview Playback is already in talks about push-VOD." A launch could be at least 12 months away given the early stage of conversations and there a several knotty issues to overcome, said the source.