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Channel 5 officially launches video-on-demand service: Demand Five

by Parm Mann on 18 July 2008, 13:01

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Channel Five finally jumped on board the on-demand phenomenon today with the official launch of its Demand Five service.

The video-on-demand service, which soft-launched a number of weeks ago, has been formally rolled out today and will be emphasised to viewers via a major advertising campaign scheduled to kick off later this evening.

The service hopes to replicate the success of BBC's iPlayer, and will offer popular programming from the likes of Neighbours and Home and Away, completely free of charge.

In an effort to differentiate itself, Demand Five will also offer big-name shows such as CSI - only, with a catch. Shows such as CSI will be available at a cost, currently 99p per episode. That, we feel, will no doubt turn away many prospective users.

Demand Five is focusing on providing higher quality material, and though it will offer appealing high definition downloads, they'll be charged at Ā£1.99 per download.

"Most viewers understand that you can now get your favourite TV online which allowed us to create a fun, accessible spot that reflects Demand Five's easy-to-use service," said Dom Sykes, Five's on-air brand director.

The majority of Five's programming will be available via the service free of charge for a period of up to 30 days. It's a welcome addition to the video-on-demand market, but it'll be hard pushed to compete with BBC's iPlayer.

Head on over to demand.five.tv to see it in action.



HEXUS Forums :: 5 Comments

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…. and will offer popular programming from the likes of Neighbours and Home and Away, completely free of charge.
They're offering that free?

Wow. Amazing. I can't wait.

</blatant sarcasm off>

They'd have to pay me to watch those, and it'd cost a heck of a lot more than the 99p they're proposing to charge for an episode of CSI.

If they're trying to “replicate the success” of iPlayer, I'd say they're missing the point.
Head on over to demand.five.tv to see it in action.
I think I'll take a raincheck. ;)
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I love how you've put it so delicately Saracen. :)

Like you, I'd have to be paid to watch Neighbours…but, on the other hand, the missus watches it so as embarresing as it is, there's one customer right there. :embarrassed:
<snip>
Saracen
They're offering that free?

Wow. Amazing. I can't wait.

</blatant sarcasm off>

They'd have to pay me to watch those, and it'd cost a heck of a lot more than the 99p they're proposing to charge for an episode of CSI.

If they're trying to “replicate the success” of iPlayer, I'd say they're missing the point.
I think I'll take a raincheck. ;)

Lol that all made me laugh a lot. I think I'll take a raincheck too.

DavidM
What is annoying is that most people actually don't have a PC in their living room - so being able to download neighbours (legally) for the missus to watch (so you can use the computer in peace) isn't possible still.

(Of course I'd never advocate such a sexist attitude)

Yes that's always been an issue for me too. And I don't like someone sitting at my PC watching things like that. Especially ‘neighbours’ which makes my monitor bleed. I was very impressed with Virgin Media because of this, because they have included a massive amount of on demand stuff into their TV pack. They may only have 1 HD channel at the moment, but the on demand stuff makes up for it, in my book.

Although, even they charge for some things. It's not cheap either.. 99p or more, per episode. That means if I want to start watching some show I've never seen before, I'm looking at like &#163;24 or more for the first season. I would never do that on principle. But luckily they have plenty of free stuff.
If you also factor in that VM make iPlayer available via their STB without a PC it gets better - and given that they already do that, I'm not going to bet against them doing the same with 5's service eventually.