BIBC plans on demand service for Samsung TV gear

THE BIBC (British Internet Broadcasting Company) has announced an on demand European TV service for an array of Samsung Internet enabled hardware.

In a medium where content is king and the mighty Google TV service has been hamstrung by legal battles with big media providers, lining up content partnerships is essential. However, the BIBC boasts that is already has a slew of premium content providers signed up for its on demand TV service.

We're not sure what the BIBC means by "OTT TV" service. Some might suggest 'over the Internet'. But it could be a reference to the type of 'over the top' content the BIBC will be showing. Or, maybe the service only has Sly Stallone's terrible mid-eighties arm-wrestling actioneer, Over the Top, on constant loop 24/7.

BIBC has ITV, Hit Entertainment, the Cartoon Network and Boomerang lined up. Anyone using Samsung's Internet TVs, Blu-ray players or connected home cinemas can use the service and the BIBC has promised additional big brand providers in the coming months.

The service is subscription-based at £2.99 per month so we're not surprised that BIBC has lined up some content providers. Google TV looks set come out in the UK almost dead on arrival because, aside from the cost of the hardware, it's giving away the content for now't.

But the big media companies are willing to try alternative revenue models, as long as they pay their way.

"We have seen VOD services become extremely successful over the internet, such as with the iPlayer in the UK and TF1 in France," said BIBC director Paul Hague.

"Now, as the new wave of internet-enabled TVs launch across Europe, consumers can turn to their traditional viewing device - the TV - to enjoy their favourite content on-demand," he added.

BIBC has already rolled out the same service for Philips web-enabled TV's. The company also announced its on demand service for Loewe Medianet TVs today. µ