BT Vision
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| BT Vision | |
 |
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| Type | Pay TV and Download Service |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 |
| Headquarters |  London |
| Industry | Media & Telecoms |
| Products | Pay TV services Programming |
| Website | btvision.bt.com |
BT Vision is a digital TV service in the UK, from BT, and launched on the 4 December 2006. It can be used on a Subscription, or Pay-as-you-go basis. Its set top box has a Freeview digital decoder, and an 80 hour Personal Video Recorder (PVR). The set top box can access the BT Vision video on demand (VoD) using an ADSL connection. BT Vision is planned to become available first to all new and existing BT Broadband customers. The service will work with the existing BT Home Hub.
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[edit] History
When British Telecom was privatised in 1984 it was banned from providing television broadcasts over its network. This ban meant that it was not possible for BT to deploy a cable television service.
The ban was designed to protect the new smaller telecommunications companies and the UK's small Cable TV networks as it was felt that BT had an unfair advantage because its pre-privatisation monopoly meant that its equipment was already installed in virtually every home and business in the UK. In January 2001 the TV ban was lifted.[citation needed]
[edit] Operation
BT Vision is touted to offer a real-time VoD service over ADSL with programming downloaded instantaneously. The system will also allow access to the 30 or so television channels which are already available via digital terrestrial (Freeview) using a tuner in the set top box. BT Vision plans to offer a huge library of movies, comedy, music and kids shows from numerous content providers including Hollywood studios and near live FA Premier League games. The system will also offer a "Catch-up TV" option so that you can watch a selection of the last week's shows that you may have missed. Customers must have a minimum line rate speed of 2mbps.
[edit] Cost
[edit] Set Up Costs
- The BT Vision V-box (includes free BT Home Hub wireless router for BT Total Broadband Option 2 & 3 customers) Will be free if you take up BT Broadband.
- Installation fee of £60.
- Connection fee of £30.
[edit] On Demand Costs
- Films from £1.99.
- Music videos from 29p.
- TV shows from 79p.
- Kids' shows from 49p.
[edit] Subscription Packs
They're available on a month by month basis with no long-term tie-in.
- TV show & TV Replay £9 per month
- TV shows £6 per month
- Kids shows £6 per month
- Music videos £6 per month
Or the TV, TV Replay, Kids and Music packages for £14 per month. All these subscriptions run month-by-month, so can be opted in or out whenever a customer wants.
[edit] Content deals
[edit] BT Vision Music
BT has agreed deals with i-concerts and Eagle Rock - two established providers of long-form music video content - to provide a range of concerts and music documentaries on-demand. The concert programming covers a wide variety of genres including rock, pop, urban and ‘alternative', to jazz and classical music.
i-concerts' potential line-up includes names such as Franz Ferdinand, Keane, Bon Jovi, Andrea Bocelli, Billy Joel, Pavarotti, Roxy Music and Sheryl Crow.
BT also has a deal with Warner Music Group.
[edit] BT Vision Films
- DreamWorks will provide BT with output from the producers and creators of films such as War of the Worlds, and the Shrek franchise. Upon launch, DreamWorks will provide BT Vision with titles such as Steven Spielberg's Munich; Madagascar; Just Like Heaven, Red Eye and Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
- Paramount Pictures
- NBC Universal.
- Lionsgate films.
- Buena Vista International (Disney).
[edit] BT Vision Sport
BT won the rights to carry 242 ‘near-live' FA Premier League football matches per season. The three year deal covers the 2007-8, 2008-9 and 2009-10 seasons. BT has acquired the rights in a joint bid with BSkyB.
This will allow viewers to watch Premiership matches on their televisions on a pay per view basis, without the need for an upfront television subscription.
On Launch Day, BT Vision announced that as of August 2007 Setanta Sports New Channel, would be joining the line up offering Live English Premiership and Scottish Premier League games, as well as other sports.
[edit] BT Vision TV & BT Vision Kids
- NBC Universal Shows.
- Independent produced shows.
- BBC Worldwide.
- The History Channel
- Nickelodeon
- Cartoon Network
- CBS Paramount Television
- MTV
- National Geographic Channel
- Buena Vista Television (Disney Networks)
- Channel 4
- HBO on Demand. Service to be added 2007 (Announced 13 February 2007 to be added to BT Vision, Tiscali TV and Virgin Media)
