Using a broad band connection, the Vod service will allow subscribers to download from Tata Sky’s movie library of 500 to 1000 movies stored on its server. While Catch Up TV will allow download and watching last 5 days television programme from Tata Sky broadcasted channels, mainly entertainment events and soap operas.
Only those subscribers having the ‘Tata Sky+’ connections with an advanced set top box (known as high definition personal video recorder or HD-PVR) will be able to avail these two services provided they have high speed wired broadband connection. With the help of a pre-downloaded software, the broadband connection, connected to the set top box through an ethernet cable, will allow users to select from the list a movie and/or a TV programme, download, store (in the 500 GB storage space in HD-PVR) and watch them whenever they want in the next 7 days.
“Advanced technology enables the HD-PVR to act like a computer, connect to the server, store data and play at the convenience of the user”, explained Tata Sky Chief Marketing Officer Vikram Mehra.
Though the VoD service is free for first one month and there is no subscription fee, after the first month each movie download will cost Rs 25 while downloading of TV programme is always free. All downloaded programme will stay in the system for 7 days and after that will get automatically deleted.
“None of the recorded programmes can be copied as the set top box does not provide the option. We had to put all these conditions to protect the patent rights of the content owners”, explained Mehra.
New services will help Tata Sky to stay ahead of others in the fiercely competitive six-player DTH industry, Mehra claimed.
With 8 million subscribers Tata Sky now has nearly one fourth share in the 35 million users industry.