The Hollywood Reporter
July 14th , 2007
Fremantle joins parade of on-demand suppliers
Starting with Talkback Thames shows
By Mimi Turner
LONDON -- FremantleMedia is following in the footsteps of Channel 4 and the BBC by launching a broadband on-demand service this summer, it was announced Thursday.
The service will initially be limited to 200 hours of classic comedy from Fremantle-owned indie Talkback Thames -- including such titles as "Tommy Cooper," "Goodnight Sweetheart" and "Men Behaving Badly" -- but could eventually be extended to include drama and reality shows as well.
Programs will be offered on a pay-per-view and download-to-own basis and will be accessible from AOL, LOVEFiLM and Fremantle's own Web portal, with digital film distributor and download specialist Arts Alliance Media partnering on the project, according to David Ellender, FremantleMedia Enterprises CEO.
"Arts Alliance Media is the leading download company for the studios and has a reputation and track record second to none in this field. We are very excited about establishing a relationship with them as they move into the TV sector," he said.
Ellender said the deal offered a gateway to new multiplatform audiences.
"This deal represents a central part of our new media strategy which involves us engaging with the consumer across a number of new platforms that are being opened up at present," he added.
The BBC announced plans for a download service earlier this year, but before any launch, the interactive media player must first be approved by the BBC's board of governors and media regulator Ofcom.
Channel 4 launched a download service earlier this summer that gives broadband on-demand access to a range of the network's shows.