4oD, the on demand service from UK broadcaster Channel 4, has passed the 100 million streams or download mark since its launch in December 2006. By contrast the highly publicised BBC iPlayer had reached 17 million streams in the seven weeks since its highly publicised commercial launch on Christmas Day.
However, the halo effect around the iPlayer has seen signicant growth for 4oD since the start of the year. 6 million streams or downloads have been made in the period between January 1 and February 25, 2008. January also saw a 69% increase month on month in the number of programmes streamed or downloaded.
The total number of 4oD users now stands at 3.3 million, representing 1 million PC users and 2.3 million via TV VoD (Virgin, BT Vision, Tiscali).
The top five shows on demand since launch are Hollyoaks, Skins, Shameless, Big Brother and Peep Show.