BBC America is joining the video-on-demand content parade, signing a deal
with Canal Plus Technologies, Liberate Technologies, OpenTV Corp. and WorldGate
Communications Inc. to help market U.K.-based content to U.S. VOD systems.
BBC America -- which operates a basic-cable network in the United States --
plans to offer EastEnders and other popular content.
'Rather than burying our programs in a catalog-style listing of all VOD
offerings, we are making `BBC America on Demand' a seamless extension of the BBC
America channel,' BBC America chief operating officer Paul Lee said in a
prepared statement.
The network said VOD subscribers will be able to access EastEnders
episodes in advance of their airings on the basic-cable channel. Single-episode
and monthly subscription models will be tested.
Separately, Diva Systems Corp. and Harmonic Inc. are forming an alliance to
integrate their VOD-equipment offerings. Diva said its 'Digital Link (DDL601)'
platform will be combined with Harmonic's 'Narrowcast Services
Gateway.'
