The Franco-German culture channel Arte plans to launch its online “catch up” service as a free VOD offer in September. Operating under the brand name Arte+, it will provide seven days worth of programming, including news bulletins, current affairs and magazines, for viewing.
At present Arte runs the artevod.com website on which programmes are available for a fee. The broadcaster claims 20,000 registered customers and about 1,000 paid downloads a week. Prices for the service, which offers music specials, movies and concert, range from €0.99 to over €4.
Arte has also said it will increase its HD transmissions to around 20% of the total output during 2008. By the end of 2011 all of its programming should be available in HD.
