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BT teams up with BBC and ITV for broadband TV
Friday 12th December 2008, by Daniel King
Internet service provider (ISP) BT has joined forces with the BBC and ITV to offer customer broadband television.
Users will be able to watch a wide range of shows on their television sets through their broadband connections under the new scheme.
The on-demand service requires the development of a standards-based open environment for broadband connected digital television receivers and set-top boxes.
Once this is completed devices that receive digital terrestrial television will also be able to get video-on-demand content via broadband.
Mark Thomson, director general of the BBC, said: "I am pleased that the BBC is working with industry partners such as device manufacturers, ISPs and other content providers on proposals which will bring real benefits for consumers."
The move is in keeping with the previous BBC collaborations on Nicam, Teletext and Freeview services, he added.
"Television and broadband are a compelling combination," commented Ian Livingston, chief executive officer of BT.
He said viewers would be able to access live television as well as "unrivalled" on-demand and interactive content, once the scheme was completed.
Mr Livingston stated that he is looking forward to working with the two television companies and other ISPs to bring an open standard for the free to air UK market.
The increased availability of high-speed broadband connections in Britain has led to a surge in demand for online video content.
BBC's iPlayer is one of the most popular services, offering high-quality television shows which can be streamed through a PC or broadband enabled mobile device.
However, the popularity of the iPlayer has taken its toll on the average broadband speed achieved in the UK, according to Edd Dawson of broadband.co.uk.
Categories: Broadband, Broadband Products, BT
