The BBC Worldwide agreement will initially provide over 180 hours of programming including documentaries, natural history, drama and light entertainment, plus children’s programmes. DNE will provide factual and lifestyle programming. Additional agreements are already in place with FilmFlex, the BBC, Flextech, Nickelodeon and several adult channels, while negotiations with other programmers continue apace.

Eric Tveter, president and chief operating officer at Telewest Broadband, said: “We truly believe TV-on-demand will transform
the way consumers watch TV.

“We’re lining up top quality content providers to give our customers a superb choice of programmes and the flexibility to watch them whenever they want.”

Following the initial launch of movies-on-demand in Bristol, Telewest Broadband will make the TVOD service available region
by region throughout the second half of this year, starting with
26,000 customers in Cheltenham who are set to receive the
service in early July.

TVOD will give customers instant access to a vast library of films
and TV programmes, available via the remote control and existing
set top box. It provides the same controls as watching a DVD or
video – once a programme is selected, customers can watch it
when they want, pause, fast forward and rewind.

Telewest Broadband is investing around £20 million in the development of TV-on-demand and personal video recorder (PVR) services in 2005.