TV Platform Update
1. BBC iPlayer on Nintendo Wii and Virgin Media
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<wrap type=”square”>In April it was announced that the BBC had brokered a deal with Nintendo to allow the BBC iPlayer – the corporation’s online catch up TV service – to be accessed via the Wii console.
Broadband connectivity to games consoles like the Wii, Xbox and PS3 makes them ideal vessels for accessing web video; there are currently 2.5m Wiis, 2m Xboxes and 1m PS3s in the UK (source: VGChartz.com).
Because consoles are connected to TV sets, they are likely to be more popular than the PC screen for viewing TV programmes and films.
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In this same month iPlayer launched on Virgin Media TV, allowing the online service to be used with the Virgin remote and to be viewed on a TV set. 3.4m Virgin Media homes are now able to access iPlayer on TV sets.
iPlayer on Wii
iPlayer on Virgin Media
2. Sky and the PSP
Sky and Sony have announced a partnership which will allow Sony PSP owners to download TV programmes and movies to the handheld PSP. Called Go!View, the service will be both subscription and pay-per-view based, inviting people to download content for their PSP’s once they have registered on a website.
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</textbox><wrap type=”square”></wrap></shape>The PSP has also attracted renewed attention after Sony showcased its new PlayTV product for the PS3. PlayTV, which launches in July, will turn the PS3 into a Freeview PVR. In addition the small Play TV adaptor will allow PS3 users to access their content whilst out of the home
For advertisers, there is the potential for marketing branded content via Go!View. For example, Nike funded a programme called the Cesc Fabregas show, which was broadcast on Sky One and then cut into bite-sized footage for online distribution. This re-edited content would have been a perfect for Go!View and a mobile audience.
Go!View on PSP
3. BT Vision puts web content onto TV sets
BT Vision, the Freeview set-top box that includes a PVR and ADSL delivered Video-On-Demand, is currently trialling a service that will allow content providers and advertisers to adapt their websites for TV viewing.
Built in html and using a template that works on a TV screen and with a remote control, these channels can stream video on-demand, as well as offer web functionality like emailing and e-commerce.
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</textbox><wrap type=”square”></wrap></shape>Although BT is selling this concept to advertisers, we believe that it is only appropriate to those brands that already have a vast amount of video content to justify an on-demand channel; Audi, for example, already have Audi TV to use.
BT Vision VOD template example
4. Virgin Media’s ‘Showcases’ Cable TV service Virgin Media is now offering advertisers the opportunity to place branded content in its VOD service via its 3.4m set-top boxes. Located in a section called ‘Showcases’ on the Virgin EPG, branded content will also be made available to viewers via the ‘Catch Up TV’ menu, which is the most popular area of VOD on Virgin. Advertiser Showcase mock up on Virgin Media
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