BT’s most recent announcements of content deals for the new service include a deal with leading TV production company Endemol to license programming and develop cutting-edge interactive content for BT Vision. The company also recently signed a deal with Cartoon Network to license its most popular programming such as the Powerpuff Girls and Dexter’s Laboratory and to develop interactive content for BT Vision
BT Vision will also benefit from content deals already announced with some of the world’s biggest entertainment companies including BBC Worldwide, Paramount and Warner Music Group, factual powerhouse National Geographic Channel and with kids’ TV programming leaders HIT Entertainment and Nelvana. BT will unveil further big name deals throughout the year as it builds towards launch .
Customers will be able to choose from a wide range of on-demand film, music and television programming as well as a groundbreaking interactive and communications service, all available through their TV sets.
The service will be a world-first, combining access to digital-terrestrial channels through the aerial with broadband-powered video on demand. This unique combination, delivered on a software platform powered by Microsoft and through a set-top box made by leading manufacturer Philips, will allow customers choice, control and convenience. Unlike other pay-TV services, there will be no mandatory monthly subscription.
BT Vision will be enabled by the BT Hub, the device which is at the heart of BT’s strategy for the converged home. The hub will also allow wireless networking for the family’s PCs and laptops and up to five different calls to be made at the same time using voice over internet technology.
Dan Marks, chief executive of TV Services, said: “Our choice of the name BT Vision encapsulates the qualities needed to make this offering successful and underpins how important our next generation TV will be in the converged world.
“BT Vision will be offered nationwide and will be not restricted to metropolitan areas and as with Freeview there will be no mandatory subscription.”