The service's official site, bt.com/btvision, has also been extensively revamped over the past 5 months, which was revealed in April 2007. BT Vision will be widely available on the high street, through John Lewis and electrical specialist such as Comet and Currys. BT Vision mixes digital TV channels with on-demand programmes, sports events and movies delivered via the net. One analyst said he was "more impressed" than he thought he would be prior to the launch of the BT Total Broadband service and other industry watchers said it looked expensive when compared to similar services in the UK.
Via BT Vision subscribers will get access to more than 40 digital Freeview channels as well as on-demand channels for movies, music, sport, children and popular TV programmes. The service revolves around the V Box - a set-top box that lets people record up to 80 hours of Freeview television on to its 160GB hard drive. Like the rival SkyPlus service it also lets people record, pause and rewind live TV. It is also the route for getting at the on-demand content.
Mike Cansfield, principal analyst at Ovum said the launch of BT Vision signalled the start of a "new era" in the home-entertainment market.
"I'm more impressed than I thought I'd be," said Nate Elliott, senior analyst at Jupiter Research. Mr Elliott said BT Vision had a "great" line up of content for film fans and children and the deal to offer live Premiership matches should satisfy many sports enthusiasts.
Analysts at Screen Digest said the launch of the IPTV service made good sense given that telecoms UK giant already had almost 3m broadband customers. A BT broadband service is required for anyone who wants to use the service.
Telecoms UK giant BT also announced that it has secured a content partnership with a US network, CBS Paramount International, which has rights to programmes such as Sex and The City and Twin Peaks. Further content partnerships will be announced in the next few weeks.
BT Vision, BT Total Broadband
