A VOD laggard, ITV (LSE: ITV) is to make its shows available for on-demand catch-up for the first time on a TV platform. BT (NYSE: BT) Vision will host the replays via its £3-a-month Replay add-on. The broadcaster published shows for catch-up on a relaunched ITV.com last year, and is promoting Freeview’s DVR effort, but ITV is still absent from living-room VOD offerings like Virgin Media’s, which counts BBC, Channel 4 and Bravo amongst its VOD brands. BT Vision, which will now carry VOD for each of the UK’s four main broadcasters, is giving guaranteed minimum payments, FT.com says – some much-needed VOD action for the Coronation Street maker while it wait for Kangaroo clearance.
Meanwhile, Telegraph.co.uk this weekend heard a source all but confirm BSkyB (NYSE: BSY) will appeal the Competition Appeal Tribunal ruling it must reduce its ITV stake to under 17.9 percent, a divestment that will lose the satcaster millions.