France And UK Give Best OTT Broadband On-demand Channels

SNL Kagan, a media analyst company, has released statistics that claim the UK and France are the countries providing the best Internet TV on-demand throughout Europe.

UK and France lead Catch-up market

The two countries are said to be providing more quantitative and qualitative ’over-the-top’ (OTT) digital TV services than their fellow European nations, including exclusive content and online applications to TV sets used as additions to a regular TV service.

With a high increase in the number of such services launched across Europe this year, broadcasters are naturally leading the way by creating their own-brand services as an addition to their regular status as a channel or provider.

In the UK, satellite TV provider Sky is a key example of this, with their Sky Anytime+ online service offering over 500 films (all featured on the Sky Movies range of channels) that can be played anywhere and anywhere with the use of a web browser, smartphone, or tablet computer. Virgin Media’s, though not as high-profile, are also highon the OTT pecking order, with the multi-platform TV and broadbrand provider featuring numerous catch-up services for shows, films, and music videos.

Virgin themselves had earlier this year predicted that they would break one billion non-unique user ’hits’ for on-demand viewing across 2011. This in itself would only be a slight improvement on the record-breaking 900 million reached in 2010.

SNL Kagan also pointed out that the UK’s high broadband uptake levels, the popularity of new alternative viewing, and greater unity between the competing service (e.g. YouView), have resulted in its high standing, with French services not described too differently. There are claims that this will help the countries ‘lead the way’ to experiment with new methods of interactivity, and help broadcasters to a plane that sees them compete with their content rather than new technologies.

SNL media and communications analyst Mohammed Hamza said of the findings on multi-platform video: “Sites of OTT gravity are also forming around new players in Europe, as entities including LoveFilm work to align content, distribution, brand and business model into sustaining businesses. Signs of traction are drawing the attention of global giants, with Amazon taking full ownership of LoveFilm in January, giving the retail behemoth a video-on-demand presence in the UK, Germany, Denmark, Norway and Sweden.”

Crazy Matt Cazzy into all things hi-tech, gizmos and gadgets. If its just out, i want it. Loves watching tv on every device ever invented that can handle it

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