Other content providers are coming, including Sky’s NOW TV which will offer movies, sports and entertainment content.
Here’s a run down of content providers we think could join the fledging service in the coming months.
BBC Worldwide
The BBC’s commercial arm has an obligation to exploit the corporation’s back catalogue for commercial gain. In the on-demand world they do this by selling content to the likes of Netflix, Virgin Media and LOVEFiLM but they also retail content directly via iTunes and Facebook.
With its Licence Fee funded parent company being a YouView shareholder it’s hard to see BBC Worldwide not flogging episodes of TopGear, Doctor Who and Torchwood on the platform.
Curzon
Curzon’s excellent movie on-demand service differentiates itself by offering independent and foreign language films in place of the latest Hollywood blockbusters and would be a welcome addition to YouView.
FILM4oD
Channel 4’s pay per view movie service offers a home-grown alternative to the US owned offerings (see below) and, like BBC Worldwide, any profits go back into producing great British content.
Like Auntie’s commercial arm, its hard to see Film4 not wanting to reap some reward from its parent company’s investment in YouView but could the presence of the free 4oD player and the broadcast Film4 channel create confusion?
LOVEFiLM & Netflix
Already available on Smart TVs, consoles and media streamers. these US-owned retailers are competing both with each and Sky for customers. YouView offers both access to the big screens of those who have previously eschewed pay TV but may be happy to pay less then a tenner for a mix of on-demand TV and films.
Vevo
Backed by major record labels, Vevo offers free access to a vast catalogue of music videos online and via apps for tablets and smartphones. As already noted, the YouView search facility already allows you to filter results to show (so far, unavailable) music videos so clearly someone’s going to be providing them soon.
When we recently asked Vevo if they were launching on the platform a spokesperson told us: “VEVO does not have a comment at this time”, a non-denial which we’re taking as a ‘yes’.