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The future of video-on-demand
As the digital revolution gets under way, people are abandoning their TV schedules in favour of video-on-demand (VoD) - the television revolution that allows you to watch what you want, when you want.
VoD has been around for a few years with cable and satellite customers being able to pay extra for movies, sporting events or having access to free “catch-ups” of recently aired shows.
Video-on-demand via broadband
VoD has spread to the internet, encompassing the free mini-videos of Joost and YouTube, numerous broadcaster and channel VoD platforms that have appeared on the web and legal music and movie downloads that can be rented as well as downloaded to be owned.
Channel 4 has its own VoD website, 4oD, which allows users access to both paid for movies and programmes as well as free catch-ups from the previous seven days of Channel 4 programming. ITV launched a similar site earlier this year, the BBC’s iPlayer is running trials with users and will roll out fully in autumn and Sky has Sky Anytime. There has even been talk of the terrestrial broadcasters joining forces to offer their replay programmes on a single platform, making it easier for consumers to find what they want.
In the US, consumers can also log on to various programme websites - such as America’s Next Top Model and Heroes - to watch the latest episode rather than on TV. These sites run on American servers so we can watch them but it’s only a matter of time before the same thing is offered here.
How will this affect my broadband connection?
One of the big problems faced by broadband users in the UK wanting to make use of all the new developments in the internet, such as video streaming and legal movie downloads, is that it’s chewing up their bandwidth and download allowances.
Many people are on “unlimited” broadband packages, but this doesn’t actually mean that they can download as much as they want as almost every single one of these packages is subject to a fair usage policy. While only a small minority actually exceed these limits, as our broadband habits change and legal downloads and video streaming become the norm, our download allowances will become increasingly strained.
The faster internet speeds gradually being rolled out across the country will help with this problem but users should monitor the amount they download each month just in case.
Should I avoid video-on-demand then?
Not at all. You can still use it to your heart’s content via your digital TV supplier, and you shouldn’t avoid using VoD over broadband either. You can install our Broadband Download Monitor and keep an eye on how much your downloading.
Are there any other ways of getting VoD?
You can also access video on demand programmes via your digital TV provider, so check out the menu on your TV to see if it’s accessible to you. Some digital TV VoD is free to watch, but you can also access movies, and the cost will simply be added to your next bill.
