Original story

SatWeb - 21.12.2002

SatWeb to relay Net-TV channels

European Network Television (ENT), the pioneering figure in Net-TV, is to enter into cooperation with SatWeb on distribution matters. This was revealed yesterday by ENT Managing Director Veli-Antti Savolainen.

SatWeb will begin distribution of the most popular Net-TV channels and channel compilations in their digital satellite broadcasts. Netcasting services have spread rapidly, but their viewing figures are still small when set alongside those of the traditional television channels. Net-TV programming is relayed to viewers via the telephone cable network and reception is paid for in call charges. The actual broadcasting of Net-TV programmes is in most cases free for the operator.

The idea sprang out of the opportunities offered by the Internet in the late 1990s. All that was required was a camera and the image was transferred to the receiver, initially one receiver at a time. At the same time, the technology required for transmissions became markedly cheaper, and networks learnt to distribute the programme material to all receivers interested in taking it. In this way these Netcast channels gradually turned into local TV-stations.

The widespread use of Net-TV demands a very high capacity telephone network. Such conditions exist for instance in Helsinki, where literally hundreds of channels have sprung up, all offering more or less regular transmissions. In the early stages they tended to replace things like club newsletters, Internet web pages, or the old chatlines run by phone operators. They also created situations not unlike virtual game-evenings. Nowadays the most popular programmes are interactive shows. Videophone request concerts resemble the familiar radio request shows of old. In virtual theatres the actors see some of their audience and can invite them to take part in the events of the drama. Karaoke channels and other “get-together” channels are also well represented. One surprising hit has been the Helsinki Tropical Fish Association’s own channel. This was founded by club members, and it shows images from members’ aquariums on a rotating basis.

SatWeb became interested in the idea of beaming Net-TV programming to a wider audience after ENT had just won a licence to distribute around one thousand Net-TV stations. These stations all use the ENT servers to get programming across to their viewers. At this stage, the agreement between the two companies requires ENT to make edited compilations - complete with announcers between programme sections - for ten satellite channels. SatWeb for its part broadcasts the programming and is entitled to sell advertising time on it. In addition, SatWeb will be transmitting the broadcasts of the six most-watched channels in their entirety, and in this case ENT will hold the rights to sell commercial spots.

The agreement offers SatWeb more programming and more advertising time, while ENT will be getting both the benefits of selling advertising space and also considerable international publicity for its Net-TV channels - and with it the likelihood of more customers. At the same time, the number of viewers reached by ENT programming will increase from around 300,000 to something in the region of 10 million.

Hannula I. & Linturi R. 1998: 100 Phenomena. Yritysmikrot Oy, Helsinki 1998. Copyright notices ISBN 952-9508-18-2

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