BT pushes ahead with music content deals for its BT Vision service

Music videos on demand when the service launches in the Autumn

10 April 2006 19:57 GMT / By Stuart Miles

BT is to bring megastars of the pop world such as Franz Ferdinand, Keane, Sheryl Crow, Alice Cooper and Usher in to your home via its new BT Vision service due to be launched later this year.

Following on the back of announcements earlier this year with TV companies, BT has turned its efforts to the music world announcing that it plans to offer more than 500 concerts and performances by some of the world's biggest music artists.

BT today announced that it has agreed deals with i-concerts and Eagle Rock, to provide a wide range of concerts and music documentaries on-demand.

The concert programming covers a wide variety of genres including rock, pop, urban and "alternative", to jazz and classical music.

i-concerts' potential line-up includes big names such as Franz Ferdinand, Keane, Bon Jovi, Andrea Bocelli, Billy Joel, Pavarotti, Roxy Music and Sheryl Crow alongside Pixies, Morrissey and Muse.

Eagle Rock programming includes classic and contemporary concerts and documentary profiles from its Eagle Vision portfolio including Alice Cooper: Brutally Live, Atomic Kitten: Right Here Right Now, Beach Boys, Fatboy Slim: Big Beach Boutique, Miles Davis: Miles Electric, Usher: Live 2002, and The Who: Live at the Isle of Wight.

Dan Marks, CEO BT Television Services, said: “BT Vision will offer a comprehensive music service with programming to suit all tastes and all available on demand. These important deals will allow us to bring concerts that would otherwise be very difficult - or impossible - to find on broadcast television to a wide audience on attractive terms and with high quality picture and sound”.

“Unlike many other current entertainment offerings, BT Vision will be offered nationwide and there will be no mandatory subscription.”

Today's announcement builds on BT Vision's existing agreements with companies such as BBC Worldwide, Paramount, Warner Music Group, National Geographic Channel, HIT Entertainment, Nelvana and Turner Broadcasting.

The service will be a world-first, combining access to digital-terrestrial channels through the aerial with broadband-powered video on demand.

BT Vision customers will be able to choose from a wide range of on-demand film, music and television programming, all available through their TV sets.

Unlike other pay-TV services, there will be no mandatory monthly subscription.

BT says it plans to unveil further deals throughout the year as it builds towards launch in the Autumn.

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