Teleport

Telewest Broadband announces the launch of a new TV-on-demand service this week. The services will allow consumers to be able to watch the latest films whenever they want, through their existing cable set-top box and simply by using their remote control. The service will provide the same functionality as watching a DVD or video - once a film is ordered, customers can watch it when they want, pause, fast forward and rewind.How does Teleport work?
Customers do not require any new equipment. Telewest Broadband has storage hardware at regional locations within our cable network, where we can hold large numbers of programmes and movies. Our On-Demand service makes all the material available to the viewer at home, and at the touch of a button. A simple on-screen menu, navigated by our standard TV remote control, allows the customer to browse what's available. Their choice is then played out via their existing Telewest Broadband TV set-top box, through our ultra-fast cable network. Once the programme or movie  is selected our customers can choose when to start watching it, as well as control the viewing with pause, rewind and fast forward functionality. You can watch the movie(s) when you like, as many times as you like. The fees (for paid content) will simply be added to the customer’s monthly Telewest Broadband bill. Parental control/PIN protection is available with the service.

Picture from: Vismedia +44 (0)20 7436 9595
www.vismedia.co.uk

NEWS:
The Teleport service is now available in all Telewest Digital areas across the UK. There are currently four Teleport section to choose from, as detailed here.

Teleport Movies from FilmFlex
Choose from around 200 movies at any time. There’s a galaxy of new and classic movies – brought to you by Filmflex – that will match any mood. Because you can access so many movies instantly at home you won’t need to go out to the video store or worry about ‘late return’ fees.  When you rent a movie it’s yours for 24 hours – you can  watch it as many times as you like within the rental period without paying anything extra.  Movies cost between £2.00 and £3.50. Whenever you rent one,  you’ll be asked to confirm your choice so you don’t need to worry about running up a bill by mistake.  In ‘Your Rentals’ you can find a list of any movies that you’ve  bought in the last 24 hours. Either select ‘Continue’ to carry on watching from where you left off or select ‘Start’ to watch from the beginning (just like a DVD). 

To rent a movie or see what’s available press the ‘Home’ or ‘Interactive’ button on your remote control and select  Teleport Movies. To find ‘Your Rentals’ press the ‘Home’ or ‘Interactive’ button, then select Teleport Movies followed by ‘Your Rentals’.

Teleport Replay
To access Teleport Replay press ‘Home’ or ‘Interactive’ on your remote control and select Teleport Replay. With Teleport Replay you can catch up with a selection of popular TV programmes from the past seven days – just minutes after they’ve finished – so you won’t have to rush home to catch Eastenders ever again. Now you can watch Casualty whenever you like and, if you’re interrupted, you can pause or rewind so you won’t miss a thing. You’ll automatically have access to Teleport Replay and the best bit is that it’s absolutely free!

Teleport TV and Music
With Teleport TV you can enjoy favourite series like ‘French  and Saunders’ and ‘Waking the Dead’, plus a great range of  documentaries and kids’ programmes. You’ll also be able to watch a whole TV series in one go – ideal for those rainy weekends. Look out too for new programmes and series being added regularly to the service. This service is available to customers on our top package at no extra cost. Customers on our other packages can pay an additional £5.00 a month to access programmes on this service.  To see what programmes are available, press ‘Home’ or ‘Interactive’ on your remote control and choose Teleport TV. 

Teleport Life
Within the Teleport Life area, you can find live events such as boxing and Premiership football matches. These services are available on a pay-per-view basis. You’ll also find special interest programmes on this service at no extra cost. Programmes with adult content will also be available for an extra charge and a PIN will be needed to access these programmes. It’s worth taking a look at the Teleport Life menu now and then as we’ll be updating programmes regularly. To access this service press ‘Home’ or ‘Interactive’ on your remote control and select Teleport Life.

Telewest Music
Music lovers can now choose from a wide range of music videos and create ‘favourites’ playlists. Again, all this will be available at no extra cost to customers on our top package and included in the additional £5.00 monthly fee if you’re on one of the  other packages and choose to subscribe.

Information on the companies behind Telewest's On-Demand Films

FilmFlex
FilmFlex, formerly known as MovieCo, is the movie Video on Demand offering from MovieCo, the joint venture initiative between Sony Pictures Television International (a Sony Pictures Entertainment company), Walt Disney Television International (a division of The Walt Disney Company Ltd) and the On Demand Group. The European Commission formally approved the submission from MovieCo/FilmFlex for the creation of a joint venture to provide VOD film service in the United Kingdom on 12 November 2004. Filmflex Website now online.

Sony Pictures Television International.
Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) operates three complementary lines of business: 1) distribution of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s (SPE) feature films and television programming to television outlets around the world, 2) local television production in key international markets, and 3) international television networks. In addition to being a leader in the distribution of current and classic U.S. and international films and television product worldwide, SPTI produces high profile, locally produced television in local languages. With dedicated offices in France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Miami (Latin America), Spain and the United Kingdom, SPTI currently oversees production in seven regions. SPTI’s worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in the Company’s long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with over 35 networks in more than 100 countries reaching over 240 million viewers worldwide. SPTI is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

The Walt Disney Company Ltd
The Walt Disney Company Ltd, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company Walt Disney Television International is responsible for all The Walt Disney Company’s free and pay television activities outside the U.S.A. These activities include branded and non-branded programme distribution through Buena Vista International Television, production and broadcasting, including the development and management of Disney Channels and other media investments.

On Demand Group
The On Demand Group was formed in 1995 as a unique company specialising in managing and providing full turn-key transactional television services and solutions to telecommunications and media organisations. The Group has created a range of pay per view, near video on demand and full video on demand businesses for clients in the UK and Europe. The range of services includes service development and operation, content acquisition and aggregation, content management, TV production, advertising and promotion, analysis, and software and service integration. ODG’s clients include Front Row, Telenet in Belgium, Telecom Italia, and Mirador in Spain. Seachange, the world’s leading VOD server supplier is a major investor in the Group.