BT to launch broadband TV service on December 4

BT Group Plc said on Monday it would launch its promised broadband television service, BT Vision, on December 4.

A Freeview-supporting set-top-box (STB) supplied by BT, can be hooked up to BT broadband to allow for the streaming of video-on-demand (VOD), without any monthly charge or contract.

Instead, users will only pay for the VOD streaming services they choose to watch.

The STB will be manufactured by Philips and will run software from Microsoft. It will also allow digital video recording of up to 80 hours on its integrated hard disk, allowing it to act as a personal-video-recorder (PVR).

BT is making an aggressive move into home entertainment with its Vision offering, which is expected to combine a Freeview digital TV receiver with video on demand and catch-up viewing of recent programs delivered over broadband.

The service is a challenge to satellite broadcaster BSkyB and cable company NTL.

The spokesman said BT Vision had secured around 20 content deals. He declined to comment on the price of the service.