UK users 'gagging' for IPTV

Tiscali is expecting a third of its UK broadband users to subscribe to IPTV services

Tiscali is preparing the ground for the relaunch of its IPTV service by releasing the results of a survey suggesting that UK users are keen to drop broadcast TV in favour of internet-based on-demand services.

The ISP acquired the Homechoice TV-over-the-internet technology when it bought Video Networks International in August. 

Tiscali is expecting more than a third of its 1.4 million UK broadband users to subscribe to IPTV services when it relaunches Homechoice later this year.

The ISP will go into direct competition with BT Vision and BskyB's broadband offerings.

Tiscali's poll of over 1,400 adults found that, despite not knowing what the term 'IPTV' means, 63 per cent would prefer to watch on-demand programmes via a broadband connection.

Furthermore, 42 per cent believe that today's traditional TV schedules will be a thing of the past in 10 years' time.

"Conventional broadcasters should heed the warning and adapt significantly in the coming years to retain their market share," said Neal McCleave, managing director of media services for Tiscali UK.

A quarter of those polled believe that major commercial broadcasters will be struggling to survive amid a myriad of small, fast-moving independents.