20/02/2008

According to a survey of the European Audiovisual Observatory and the French Government's Media Development Department (DDM) there were 258 VoD services operating in 24 European countries at the end of 2007, against the 142 registered in 2006.

The rise is largely explained by the fact that television channels generally now have websites offering free catch-up TV, giving viewers access to certain programmes, notably episodes of series, for a period of several days after their transmission.

With 32 services, France remains the country with the highest level of VoD provision, followed by the Netherlands (30) and Germany (26), and 74% of the services surveyed are delivered via Internet. This reflects the expansion of catch-up TV provision by broadcasters over the last two years – most catch-up services being offered through the Internet.

The survey also reflects the latest developments in strategy among the various players involved in VoD provision (including cable and IPTV network operators, television channels, programme makers and equipment manufacturers).