ABC & BT Unveil Branded VOD Service

LONDON: BT Vision and The Walt Disney Company EMEA have unveiled a new VOD service, ABC TV On Demand, launching September 15, which will provide a range of popular U.S. series to British users.

The service will offer shows such as Cougar Town, Private Practice, Desperate Housewives, Criminal Minds and Brothers & Sisters to BT Vision customers, with episodes available after their first U.K. linear TV broadcast window. ABC TV On Demand will also offer past seasons of these same U.S. series, as well as Lost, Grey’s Anatomy and Ugly Betty. The new service will be available as part of BT Vision’s TV Pack. New episodes will be added each month.

“The ABC brand stands for innovative, high quality US television production. Leveraging this to launch an ABC TV On Demand branded service is a logical next step in our digital distribution strategy," said Catherine Powell, the senior VP and general manager of media distribution at The Walt Disney Company EMEA. "Through partnering with successful and like-minded digital media platforms, such as BT, we are able to offer choice to consumers in how and when they enjoy our programming, while maintaining the highest quality of viewing experience."

Marc Watson, the chief executive of television and online services at BT Retail, added: “ABC TV On Demand is Disney’s first launch of an ABC-branded on demand entertainment service outside of the U.S. BT Vision customers will be able to start, pause or rewind their favorite shows whenever they want without having to fit in with a broadcaster’s schedule or missing an episode. This is just the latest addition to BT Vision’s array of on-demand channels, including Discovery, National Geographic and MTV.”