UKTV cross platform VoD
September 6, 2012
UKTV is ‘soft launching’ ad-funded VoD players for Dave, Really and Yesterday on their respective websites next month. Users will be asked to provide feedback ahead of a full launch later in the year.
The players have been developed in-house and with Capablue and will feature a range of UKTV commissions and shows from the BBC and Channel 4. Dave and Yesterday will launch imminently, with Really planned to follow in late October.
Hundreds of hours of archive and seven-day catch-up content will be available. UKTV’s advertising sales partner C4 will manage the pre-roll inventory.
The broadcaster is planning to follow the launch of the online players with roll-outs across a range of platforms, including YouView, mobile and games consoles. An overhaul of UKTV’s portfolio of websites is expected to follow the launch of the players.
The move follows UKTV’s TV-based VoD deals with platform providers Sky and BT for its pay channels over the past 12 months, but chief executive Darren Childs noted there was “clear blue water” between the strategies for its free and pay output.