BT Vision is to trial a new service that will allow customers to download free movies from its web-based download store in return for watching targeted advertisements. The service is available to all of the UK’s 14 million broadband customers, regardless of which ISP they use.
The collaboration between Hiro Media, Intel Corporation and FremantleMedia Enterprises involves three titles; Mischief Night, Played and The Punk Rock Movie. Viewers will be invited to download free video software from Hiro, which has developed the ad-supported video download technology. They will then be asked to provide anonymous demographic information allowing the software to select adverts dynamically that are most suited to the answers provided.
Once downloaded the movies will be available for viewing for a period of 28 days. They can also been forwarded to friends by email, who will be able to view them on the same terms.
The commercials will appear during natural breaks in the films and include adverts provided by isobar, the digital advertising agency, from the RAC, Norwich Union and the Territorial Army.
About Julian Clover
"In an industry that experiences rapid change and often a confusing subsequent
constant supply of news, it is often refreshing to read an insightful perspective. Broadband
TV News and its editorial team regularly provide a context and
helpful analysis to breaking news.”
Broadband TV News is the must-read publication for those working in the Business of the Multiscreen Television. We deliver news, insight and data direct to your desktop. As well as our constantly updated website you can sign-up to our Daily and Weekly email bulletins. 
Connected TV Forecasts NEW REPORT. The number of TV sets connected to the Internet will reach 551 million by 2016 for the 40 countries covered in this report from Digital TV Research, up from 124 million at end-2010. The report states that this translates to 20% of global TV sets by 2016, up from only 6% at end-2010. Published in November 2011, this 83-page PDF report is the most geographically comprehensive to ever be published.