ITV is jumping on to the broadband TV bandwagon, with announcements that it is going to test on-demand local television with the launch of ITV Local.
Developed by Narrowstep Inc., ITV Local is a broadband service sporting seven channels that are available free of cost and operate 24/7. The universally available channels will feature classified advertisements, and provide news on local issues, weather, music, as well as entertainment. The service is presently under trial with community channels in south coast towns of Hastings and Brighton.
Viewers will also be able to scroll through the timetable of various programmes on TV, besides getting a chance to catch up with their favourite shows that have been missed. What’s more, they can even upload personal stuff through a special encoder on ITV Local, like brief videos, classified advertisements or even goods promotions for certain goods on sale, combined with personal notices.
Once ITV is acclaimed as a success during its trial, the service will be expanded for tests in other regions of the country.
ITV project director, Lindsay Charlton, was quoted saying, “The rapid advance in the number of broadband homes in the U.K., combined with improvements in streaming technology and Narrowstep's system, has transformed the opportunities for local broadcasting. By combining our traditional broadcasting expertise with the opportunities of the web, we are creating something truly unique.”
Meanwhile, director of ITV Consumer, Jeff Henry, spoke about the scope of the service in particular markets like “local classified advertising”. He added that the entire team was “very excited about the outcome of this trial and I look forward to results in the New Year.”
Posted
on : Wed, 19 Oct 2005 12:10 GMT | General News
By : Rob Davis
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