BT to enter IPTV market with Philips

BT are making strong moves for an IPTV audience for 2006, with trials for early in the year, with an expected full roll out for after the summer. From More details on BT and its TV service:

The BT TV service will be built around a FreeView receiver with built-in PVR (personal video recorder), and employ Microsoft’s IPTV software for on demand content. The key bullet points are:

Entertainment on demand – an extensive library of movies, TV and music all available instantly

Catch-up TV – programmes from the previous seven days broadcast schedule will be available on demand without the need to record

Flexible payment – no mandatory subscriptions. Pay-per-view options

Personal Video Recorder – simple to use recording function capable of storing up to 80 hours of programming

More than 30 digital terrestrial TV channels

Communication services – instant messaging, chat and video telephony on TV

Interactive services – online games, retail opportunities and community services

There’s more from the BT press release, which deals with allocating Philips as the supplier of the PVR boxes for BT’s IPTV offering:

“We see next generation TV as a vital element of our vision for home entertainment. In an increasingly converged world, BT customers will be able to benefit from the combination of television, communications and the internet. For example, football fans across the country will be able to chat using video telephony while watching a match. Our catch-up TV offering will also allow people to watch programmes they may have missed but wanted to see.

“This partnership confirms BT’s position as a world leader in the delivery of Broadband TV. Philips are a superb partner to have and we look forward to working with both them and Microsoft in the delivery of the home entertainment of the future.”

Rudy Provoost, CEO Philips Consumer Electronics said “Philips is very excited to partner with BT to introduce this innovative new digital TV service to the UK market. This cooperation is an important proof-point of our strategy providing consumers access to information and entertainment anywhere anytime, while preparing the road for HDTV. It is all about bringing innovation and ease-of-use to the consumer. This agreement – when formally signed will even further extend the leading position achieved by both BT and Philips in digital TV”.