More than one million viewers have accessed Channel 4’s VOD offering 4oD since its launch six months ago. 20 million programmes have been downloaded bringing a small windfall of £500,000 to the independent producers whose content is makes up the service. Channel 4 had promised the £500,000 figure would be raised after about a year, but it transpired that the figure was reached within four months. 4oD is available via Virgin Media, Tiscali TV, BT Vision and the Channel 4 website.
The BBC Trust is today expected to give the go-ahead to the long awaited iPlayer, previously known as IMP, and related projects that will mark the BBC’s official entry into the on demand market.
Separately, ITV’s executive chairman Michael Grade will tomorrow give full details of commercial broadcaster’s £20 million revamp of ITV.com, which will add a free catch-up service and limited pay-per-view elements. The Channel 4 service also has a selection of free shows.
