| VOD Services in the UK |
Video on demand (VOD) or audio video on demand (AVOD) systems allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand.
VOD systems either stream content through a set-top box, allowing viewing in real time, or download it to a device such as a computer, digital video recorder, personal video recorder or portable media player for viewing at any time. |
Download and streaming video on demand systems provide the user with many functions including pause, fast forward, fast rewind, slow forward, slow rewind, jump to previous/future frame etc. These functions are called trick modes. For disk-based streaming systems which store and stream programmes from hard disk drive, trick modes require additional processing and storage on the part of the server, because separate files for fast forward and rewind must be stored.
Memory-based VOD streaming systems have the advantage of being able to perform trick modes directly from RAM, which requires no additional storage or CPU cycles on the part of the processor. |
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| BBC iPlayer |
BBC iPlayer is a free service that lets you catch up with programmes from the past seven days that you may have missed or want to watch again. There are two ways to use this service. You can play a programme and watch it online with ‘Click to play', or you can download the programme, store it on your computer for up to 30 days and watch it offline. Please note that BBC TV programmes are only available to users in the UK at present, though most radio programmes are available outside the UK as well.
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| VOD on BBC iPlayer |
One of the key features of the iPlayer download service is the use of peer-to-peer technology to enable the distribution of large video files to scale effectively.
Once downloaded, the content is only playable within the iPlayer itself or Windows Media Player, and digital rights management (DRM) software will prevent it being directly copied to another medium (e.g. another computer or mobile device).
Additionally, the DRM allows the BBC to decide how long the programmes remain watchable. Programmes will be available for download for seven days following broadcast. Once a programme is downloaded a user will have thirty days to start watching it. Once a user starts to watch a programme, it will continue to be available for the next seven days. These limitations do not apply to viewers using the online streaming service.
To download programmes to your computer, you will have to install the BBC iPlayer Download Manager. |
| BBC iPlayer on Freesat |
| BBC iPlayer is available on channel 901 on Freesat receivers, the service provides a seven day catch-up service. No live TV or radio streams are available. A broadband connection is required to view programming. |
| BBC iPlayer on Freeview |
You can watch BBC iPlayer on selected Freeview HD TVs and recorders which means you can now catch up on last week's BBC on your TV. All you need to do is connect your TV or recorder to the internet to access BBC iPlayer
No live TV or radio streams are available. A broadband connection is required to view programming. |
| Mobile Phones & Tablets |
BBC iPlayer is supported on the Apple iPhone, Apple iPad and on Flash 10.1-enabled Android devices running Android 2.2 or later with the ARMv7 processor. You can access the BBC iPlayer app on these devices by downloading from the Apple App Store or the Android Market.
BlackBerry Bold 2 (9700) and Blackberry Storm 2 (9520/9550) users can download shortcut application for BBC iPlayer by visiting this link in your phone's internet browser: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mobile/bbapps.
Full programmes can be played over your phone's wireless broadband (wi-fi) connection. Vodafone and 3 contract customers, except those using Android, Symbian 3 or Apple devices, can also watch over a 3G connection. The BBC is working to make BBC iPlayer on mobile available over more 3G networks.
Depending on the capabilities of your phone, you may be able to download full programmes to your handset directly via your mobile browser. On other mobile devices, you may be able to download via your PC. When downloading, select the 'for portable devices' option, save the downloaded programme to your computer, then copy it to your handset. |
| For a list of compatible mobile devices please click HERE. |
| To install the BBC iPlayer Desktop, click HERE. |
| Note: UK only IP restrictions apply to the vast majority of the content on BBC iPlayer. |
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| ITV Player |
ITV Player is the name of ITV plc's online video on demand service. ITV's ITV Player online TV service lets viewers watch most TV shows from ITV1, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 online at the same time as they air on TV, or catch up on TV shows online they've missed from the previous 30 days.
Online TV shows cannot be downloaded and stored on a computer, but they can be 'detached' from the web page and viewed using Windows Media Player.
Like rival broadcasters, some ITV Player online TV content such as films, music and sporting events are not available to watch online due to rights issues. Overall the ITV Player service is a good service, the website is simple and clean to navigate and the programmes on offer are top quality.
With only 30 Days viewing available the amount of programmes to watch is inevitably limited, however this service is ideal if you want to catch up on episodes of Coronation Street or Emmerdale that you have missed.
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| ITV Player on Freesat |
| ITV Player is available on Freesat channel 903, it is not currently available on all receivers. ITV Player allows users to watch content from ITV1, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 for up to seven days after programmes air on television. However, in order to use the ITV Player service with Freesat, consumers need to have a broadband internet connection speed of at least 2Mbps. |
| ITV Player on Mobile Phones |
| Catch up on ITV programmes from the last seven days, on your mobile device, ITV Player is available on iOS and Android. Playback quality is dependant on your device and software capabilities. |
| Note: UK only IP restrictions apply to all VOD services. |
| See the ITV Player site. |
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| 4oD |
| Launched in November 2006, 4oD stands for "4 on Demand", a service which allows some internet, Virgin Media, Tiscali TV and BT Vision users to view programming recently shown on Channel 4, E4 or More4, or from their archives. 4oD also includes a selection of films and content from the National Geographic Channel and FX (UK). The cable version is operated through an appropriate set top box whilst the internet variant requires the installation of a free piece of software, which allows users to download the programmes to a computer for viewing. |
The services are limited to UK and Republic of Ireland viewers only, and the internet version is at present further limited to Windows XP (32-bit editions only) and Windows Vista, PC users only. This is due to the proprietary Microsoft DRM system chosen for the service, being only available to that platform at this time. Channel 4 state that this choice of system is at the stipulation of many of the programme copyright holders, thus such a limitation is unavoidable if their programmes are to be made available in this way. At this time there is no widespread, secure multi platform DRM technology available which is accepted by the major content producers, including the Hollywood studios, although the BBC's rival offering, BBC iPlayer, has a Flash-based streaming option available on several operating systems including Linux and Mac OS.
As of January 2009, Channel 4 is the only terrestrial TV channel in the UK that only provides content to Windows users.
The "Catch-up" service offers content free of charge for both streaming and downloaded versions of a programme for thirty days after its broadcast on Channel 4. Some content is available free of charge, whilst most other programmes and films, including archive programming, is charged for on a per-download basis, typically around 99p per standard programme or £1.99 per film.
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| Video can be viewed multiple times, for up to forty-eight hours after the first time it was played, or for a month until played. The video on the internet service is advertised as being 'DVD quality', and estimates download time to be around twice the programme length on an average broadband connection, though speeds vary dramatically dependent on ISP, connection speed and other factors, and may be less or more than this. |
| A Download to Own (DTO) or "Buy" feature is also available on selected content, allowing users to purchase a programme and keep it for as long as they wish. The 4oD internet service uses some of the same technologies (Kontiki Delivery Manager and Windows Media DRM) as the BBC iPlayer Download Manager and Sky Player. However, the BBC iPlayer's streaming service is provided using Adobe Flash and is accessible on Mac and Linux operating systems, while streaming on 4oD is restricted to Windows XP/Vista platforms by Windows Media DRM. |
| 4oD Catch-up |
The 4oD Catch-Up service that allows viewers to watch TV programmes on the web with Flash instead of needing a Windows-only download manager.
The service offers 30 days of catch up content from Channel 4, More4 and E4 and, like the BBC's iPlayer web catch-up service, is available on any computer with the cross-platform Flash Player from Adobe. |
| 4oD App |
The 4oD app for iOS allows access to Channel 4's catch-up TV platform 4oD. The Wi-Fi only app brings unlimited, free access to shows from the last 30 days.
There are currently no apps for Android available. |
| Note: UK only IP restrictions apply to all VOD services on 4OD. |
| See the 4oD site. |
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| Demand 5 |
Demand 5 is a service that lets you watch programmes from the Channel 5 family of channels: Channel 5, 5USA and 5* online at channel5.com.
Demand 5 offers a selection of programmes from all three channels, Channel 5, 5USA and 5* to watch online. Once a programme has been broadcast for the first time – and provided Channel 5 have the rights – it becomes available on their video player for a period of time.
This availability period varies from show to show, though it is usually a minimum of 7 days.
New programmes are added to the service every day.
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These include series and programmes that are currently being broadcast, as well as shows from our archive.
All of the programmes currently available can be found in the Demand 5 section. You can find programmes recently broadcast on TV and also browse by category such as drama, soap, entertainment and documentary.
Alternatively, if you are looking for a specific show, head to the Show section and view the shows A-Z to see what’s available. |
| Mobile Devices |
You can download the Demand 5 App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. It offers a streaming catch up service for a selection of Channel 5, 5* and 5USA shows.
To ensure you are provided with the best viewing experience, the application requires Wifi. Rights restrictions around content mean that this application is restricted to use within the UK.
You will need iOS version 4.0 and above to use this app.
Download it from the iTunes App Store here. |
If you have an Android phone, to watch videos simply go to www.channel5.com in your browser, and find the programme you want to watch. Although you can watch video, Channel 5 do not technically support the Android platform.
Rights restrictions around content mean that this application is restricted to use within the UK. |
| Note: UK only IP restrictions apply to all VOD services on Demand 5. |
| See the Demand 5 site. |
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| YouView |
YouView is an IPTV television service in the United Kingdom, the venture is a partnership between four broadcasters (BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5 and ITV) and three communications companies (Arqiva, BT and TalkTalk).
YouView allows access to television channels, radio stations, on-demand services and internet content using a set-top box, 'hybrid' connected with an internet connection and an aerial to watch digital terrestrial television channels.
YouView provides access to the Freeview HD linear channels. Additional content is provided over the internet and can be accessed via the EPG, players or through an easy to use search function.
There are currently six players available providing access to TV programs and Films.
The players available are BBC iPlayer (free), 4oD (free), ITV player (free, England, Wales and NI) or STV (free, Scotland only), 5 on Demand (free), Milkshake (free, children's programming from Channel 5) and NowTV (£15 per month or pay per view, premium based film content powered by Sky).
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YouView has a library of on demand programmes, series, films and radio. On demand is organised so you can see at a glance which programmes have just been added and which ones are the most popular. Of course, if you're just looking for a bit of inspiration or want to see what else is available, you can browse by genre or provider instead.
There are thousands of programmes available in on demand so we've organised them by genre to make it easy to find what you're looking for. Comedy, Kids and Documentaries are just a few of the great categories you can browse through. Got a favourite entertainment provider? YouView has all the players in one place so you can choose the one you want and find something to suit your mood. Got a favourite entertainment provider? YouView has BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD and Demand 5, all in one place. Milkshake! and STV Player are also now available on YouView. Milkshake! is home to some of the best loved preschool characters, including Noddy, Roary the Racing Car and Thomas. STV Player is the home of great Scottish content, featuring everything from documentaries and dramas to entertainment and news.
There are a range of pay movies available from Now TV on YouView.Watch Sky Movies one at a time with Pay & Play or get unlimited access with a monthly Sky Movies Pass. |
| See the YouView website for more information. |
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| Sky Go |
Take Sky Sports on the move with the new Sky Go app. Get more from Sky Sports with the new Sky Go app, which gives Sky TV customers with Sky Sports 1 & 2 access to all five Sky Sports channels wherever they are in the UK and Ireland for FREE on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.
What’s more, Sky TV customers with Sky Movies 1 & 2 can enjoy the latest movies on Sky Premier as well as Showcase, Action and Adventure and Family – all on the go and at no extra cost.
With Sky Go you can register up to two devices and watch on both at the same time wherever you have a 3G or Wi-Fi connection so you needn’t miss the Friday night premier or that all important deciding goal.
Sky Go is available on Android devices and iOS 4.2 or above including iPhone 3GS & 4, iPad 1 & 2 and iPod touch 4th gen.
If you are a Sky Go Monthly Ticket customer you’ll also get access to the Sky Go app.
All you need to log-in and start enjoying Sky Go is a Sky iD username and password which you can set up at skygo.com/signup. Signing up is quick and easy and you’ll be watching on the move in minutes.
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| blinkbox |
| blinkbox is a video-on-demand (VoD) service launched in April 2008. The service allows users to preview, buy and rent full length premium movies and TV shows online. Additionally a significant number of titles are free to watch, with revenue generated by advertisements during playback, similar to commercial television. There is a focus on community participation, with visitors able to leave comments and customise clips by adding personal text messages to any section of a film or TV programme from their catalogue.
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| The company’s business model is to pitch buying or renting the movie or TV show, or watching full length content with embedded adverts, after viewing the clip. Downloaded content is protected using Microsoft's Windows Media DRM digital rights management software. Blinkbox have also announced streaming deals with a number of their content partners, including Warner Brothers and E1 Entertainment. The streaming service enables users to watch a selection of their premium content instantly using Adobe Flash secure video delivery technology. |
| blinkbox's partners include All3Media, Aardman, Discovery, FremantleMedia, Paramount, Warner Brothers, Sony, Fox and Universal, and agreements with speciality producers such as Black Diamond, Eagle Vision, Fortune Star, Raindance TV Studio, X-Treme and Zodiak Television. |
| Note: UK only IP restrictions apply to all VOD services on blinkbox. |
| Website: www.blinkbox.com |
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