BT, BBC to launch video-over-broadband services

Yes, we know video-over-broadband isn't as fabulous as it sounds; we've had long waits just downloading trailers via DSL. This hasn't stopped companies like CinemaNow and Starz from offering thousands of downloadable movies to users with ultra-fast connections, lots of patience, or no lives. So, it's not surprising to see more companies — especially telcos and networks — trying to get in on the action. The latest entrants look to be venerable British monoliths British Telecom and the British Broadcasting Corp. BT plans to offer programming over DSL, and is even considering using their lines to offer high-definition programs, figuring it'll give them an edge of broadcasters. Meanwhile, the Beeb is testing an Internet TV service called iMP, which they see as a way to expand their audience; they haven't ruled out offering it to overseas viewers, which could be a cash cow, given the thousands of British expats — not to mention Monty Python and EastEnders fans — scattered around the globe.

[David Ed @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

I'm stunned, Eastenders fans across the globe, surely not!!!

Monty Python is understandable.

[Simon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Hmm... About the quality of Video over Broadband (VoB). I guess it's lot to do with the setup used. I'm a consumer of HomeChoice ( http://www.homechoice.co.uk ) in the UK. It's video on demand via broadband and really the picture quality, service and on-demand programming is fabulous. It really is there is no way i'm going back. (oh and it's better value than cable or satellite or DVB)

[Carbsumer @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

I'd pay to watch Top Gear (BBC car show) over here in the US. I'm downloading it over broadband now, but I'd pay not to have to deal with P2P networks

[The Lynxpro @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

"Not to mention" all of us geared up to watch the relaunch of the BBC's *Doctor Who* which still has no committed cable network showing it here in the States. Word is the network [SciFi] that brought us such stellar classics as "Mansquito" passed on it saying they found the series "lacking." Of course, you can judge for yourself since apparently a working copy of the premiere episode hit the net last weekend. If you search for "dr. who" on TorrentSpy, you'll find the episode listed as rose1.avi. If you like the episode and want more, then write to SciFi and tell them you want the show picked up. Their email is at: [e-mail].

[Fluidity @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Yep, I'm also on Homechoice, great value especially since they doubled all the connection speeds recently for free. The TV on demand is a much better idea than TIVO, why worry about recording it when it'll just be available for a while after it airs. Currently this is only limited to a few shows on homechoice but they continue to expand it and the amount of series on their on demand chanel, C1, that come with the service, is great, just a shame I already own a lot of them, If I didn't I'd be absolutely blown away by the amount of stuff you can watch instantly for free. I'll be very interested to see what BT do as homechoice is only available in a very limited area of London but I definitely intend to always stic with a service like this for TV in the future.

[Haplo @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Thats hardly a new thing.

Danish Radio (also a tv broadcaster) have been broadcasting a lot of their productions for free for a long time.

fx, check out
http://dr.dk/wulffmorgenthaler/?spots=true

-a show made by the people from the brilliant www.wulffmorgenthaler.com

and Danish tv2 have launched their own channel in cyberspace, "Sputnik", which also broadcasts tv2's productions. this, though, for a small fee. About 2$ a day, or 8$ per month.