BT puts name to new interactive TV service

BT has announced that it will be calling its new TV service TV Vision when it launches in the UK in the Autumn.

The telephone company is claiming that the service will be the world-first service, combining digital terrestrial TV with on-demand film, TV and music programming, as well as interactive services.

Along with the new name, BT is taking registrations for interested parties on its website.

So far the company has signed up Endemol, the company behind Big Brother and Cartoon Network.

BT Vision will also benefit from content deals already announced with some of the world's biggest entertainment companies including BBC Worldwide, Paramount and Warner Music Group, factual powerhouse National Geographic Channel and with kids' TV programming leaders HIT Entertainment and Nelvana.

BT says that it hopes to be able to unveil further big name deals throughout the year as it builds towards launch.

Customers will need a set-top box to access the service. BT Vision will be enabled by the BT Hub, the device which is at the heart of BT's strategy for the converged home. The hub will also allow wireless networking for the family's PCs and laptops and up to five different calls to be made at the same time using voice over internet technology.

BT Vision will be offered nationwide and will be not restricted to metropolitan areas and as with Freeview there will be no mandatory subscription.