British broadcasters team up for on-demand service

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2007

LONDON (AFP) — Three of Britain's biggest broadcasters have teamed up to launch an on-demand service, in what commentators said Wednesday seeks to avoid the fate of the music industry faced with online distribution.

The BBC, ITV and Channel Four televsion said the service, dubbed "Kangaroo", should be available from next year and will initially be available over the Internet, before being launched on other platforms.

The service will allow viewers to catch up on missed programmes, or simply choose when to watch programmes rather than be locked to the traditional television schedule. It will include over 10,000 hours of entertainment.

"This is a historic partnership between the UK's largest broadcasters," said John Smith, head of BBC Worldwide.

"By...