4oD racks up 100m programme downloads

by Gareth Jones, Marketing 27-Feb-08, 10:30

LONDON - 4oD, Channel 4's video-on-demand service, is claiming to have served more than 100m programme streams and downloads since its launch in December 2006.

According to the broadcaster, the total number of 4oD users is now up to 3.3m. This figure comprises 1m watching via PCs and 2.3m accessing the service through TV platforms Virgin Media, BT Vision and Tiscali.

4oD has grown rapidly over the past two months, with more than 6m PC programme downloads since the beginning of the year. This is a 69% increase in the number of programmes streamed or downloaded since December 2007.

The top five shows downloaded or streamed via the on-demand since its launch are Hollyoaks, Skins, Shameless, Big Brother and Peep Show, with Skins being the most viewed so far this year.

4oD allows users to catch up on programming from the previous 30 days free of charge. Films and other premium content are available to own or rent priced £1.99 and 99p respectively. Third-party content accessible via 4oD includes shows from FX, National Geographic and Discovery.

‘There is a huge demand for on-demand viewing, something we recognised very early on, being the first broadcaster to launch into this market,' said Sarah Rose, head of video-on-demand and channel development at Channel 4.