BT delivers video-on-demand for Five

Viewers download episodes of ‘CSI’ one week early.

BT Media and Broadcast today announced that it has developed a video-on-demand (VoD) service for terrestrial channel Five. The service will allow viewers to download new episodes of hit crime show ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ a full week before their UK transmission. For £2.49, viewers will be able to watch episodes - downloaded to their PCs, via broadband - an unlimited number of times for a 14 day period.

BT Media and Broadcast carried out the project, which covered areas including encoding, digital rights management, hosting, customer registration, billing, customer relationship management, content distribution and delivery, interface design and build, and technical support for customers.

Barry Bonnett, CEO, BT Media & Broadcast, said: “The boundaries between different types of device are blurring incredibly quickly. Viewers want the flexibility to watch TV on their PCs, at a time that suits them. Technology is fundamentally shifting the balance of power away from broadcasting and towards viewers. Five has been quick to pick up on this trend.”

The solution marks the beginning of Five’s multi-channel strategy allowing them to develop new revenue streams, exploit marketing opportunities and extend brand value. Ultimately, the entire CSI back catalogue, distributed by Alliance Atlantis and the most popular TV franchise in the world, will be available at www.five.tv/download.

Jane Lighting, Five’s Chief Executive, said: “Five Download is an important part of Five’s digital media strategy.  I’m delighted that we are launching the service with CSI enabling us to offer the highest quality content to viewers with a viewing window which exceeds anything currently in the marketplace.”

“Alliance Atlantis is thrilled to be taking its partnership with Five to the next level,” said Ted Riley, Executive Managing Director, International Content Distribution, Alliance Atlantis. “The first-ever CSI Franchise VoD service outside the USA, is both a thrilling proposition for UK fans and heralds the roll-out of other new media opportunities for this fantastic franchise internationally.”

The new service will be promoted on-air around the CSI Franchise on both Five and the new ‘Five US’ channel as well as being supported by a trade advertising campaign.

The new previously-unseen programmes will be priced at £2.49, with all other episodes at £1.49. Amongst other promotional offers, viewers will also be able to buy discounted season passes to entire series.