MUMBAI: BT and The Walt Disney Company EMEA have announced ABC TV On Demand, a VOD (video on demand) service that will launch on 15 September to BT Vision customers in the UK. The service aims to provide a wide selection of some of the world‘s most popular US series, on demand, in one easy-to-use area.
The service will offer a range of popular US series produced by Disney‘s network TV production arm ABC Studios, giving BT Vision customers-on-demand full seasons of hit shows such as Cougar Town, Private Practice, Desperate Housewives, Criminal Minds and Brothers & Sisters, with episodes being made available after their first UK linear TV broadcast window. ABC TV On Demand will also offer past seasons of these same US series, plus other modern TV classics such as Lost, Grey‘s Anatomy and Ugly Betty. The service builds on previous series VOD agreements between Disney and BT Vision, adding a selection of new shows for the launch of the branded service.
BT Vision customers will be able to access ABC TV On Demand as part of BT Vision‘s TV Pack for ?6.99 per month. Individual episodes will be priced at 99p and customers will see new programmes added every month.
Said The Walt Disney Company EMEA media distribution SVP/GM Catherine Powell, "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. 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."
Added BT Retail chief executive of television and online services Marc Watson, "ABC TV On Demand is Disney‘s first launch of an ABC-branded on demand entertainment service outside of the US. BT Vision customers will be able to start, pause or rewind their favourite 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."
ABC TV On Demand is Disney‘s first launch of an ABC-branded on demand entertainment service outside of the US.
