Online TV service Zattoo has added BBC One and ITV1 to its line-up, bringing together the big five terrestrial channels on a single online platform for the first time.
BBC One and BBC Two are presently unavailable as a streamed service, although the BBC News Channel has been carried on the BBC website for some time. ITV1 is available on itv.com, but unlike Zattoo the service is restricted to PC users.
Although not an open threat to the British broadcasters joint venture Kangaroo, which is based around downloads, the legality of Zattoo is unclear. Certainly any marketing agreement with the BBC would have ensured a selection of up to date channel logos.
Viewers can download the Zattoo player from the company’s website. The service is free, although pre-roll advertisements have already been introduced in other countries, activated when the viewer changes channels.
Zattoo has already launched in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Spain, Denmark and Norway. A launch in the Netherlands is planned for later in the year.
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.