TV 2 and Nordisk Film presented today an innovative new service for all Danes that have a broadband Internet connection in their homes: Denmark’s first Broadband TV Channel – TV 2 Sputnik, where everyone is their own TV channel editor and decides what they want to see and when they want to see it. Phase one launches on December 1st. and contains a comprehensive selection of programs from TV 2 – Denmark’s largest commercial TV broadcaster. The second phase of TV 2 Sputnik – a Home Cinema featuring films from Nordisk Film - will launch next spring. Around every third Danish home can already watch moving pictures in an acceptable quality via their broadband connection.
“TV 2 Sputnik is a ground-breaking new project that will pave the way for how media will be used in the future. We are letting the viewers become totally independent of our traditional program schedules. Via TV 2 Sputnik, the viewer can see a great number of TV 2’s programs in high quality when it suits them. Here the viewer decides”, says TV 2’s Managing Director Peter Parbo.
TV 2 Sputnik was presented on today at a press meeting at Copenhagen’s old Gas Works. This new “On-Demand” service will be available at www.sputnik.dk and the website is already online with information about the new service and how to register.
TV 2 Sputnik is the broadcaster’s first channel that will not have a name derived from the phonetic alphabet, but instead from the space age. The famous Sputnik satellite – the first ever launched - orbited the world in 1957, starting both the space age and the space race. In the same way TV 2 Sputnik seems to be a fitting name as we commence a new media era.
“Everyone that has a broadband connection can enjoy TV 2 Sputnik from December 1st. for a monthly subscription of 6.5 euro. The subscription gives unlimited access 24 hours a day to watch popular programs when it suits you. Amongst the available programs are TV 2 News, Station 2 (news documentary), Dags Dato (current affairs), Rundfunk (music), LPS (sport) and many more”, says Rune Bech, Head of TV 2 Interactive.
You can watch TV 2 Sputnik on your computer screen, but if you would prefer to watch the programs on your TV, all you have to do is to run a cable to your TV from the “TV-out” plug that is standard on most new PC’s today. And already from next year, new broadband set top boxes will be available on the market, so you won’t even need a PC to watch TV 2 Sputnik, but can control everything with the set top boxes remote control.
TV 2 and Nordisk Film expect that especially families with children and busy Danes will embrace TV 2 Sputnik with open arms; it gives them a new freedom from the everyday program schedules and lets viewers decide themselves what time programs should start.
“Now you can put the kids to bed, or finish dinner without having to worry about when your favourite program is starting. TV 2 Sputnik gives you the freedom to watch programs when you have the time. And from next spring, if you can’t find a movie you want to watch on regular TV one evening, you will always be able to find one on TV 2 Sputnik”, Rune Bech continues.
In the second phase in February, TV 2 Sputnik will extend its offerings with a home cinema featuring a comprehensive selection of films from Nordisk Film. Then viewers will be able to watch movies on-demand from the comfort of their own sofa. Nordisk Film has promised that viewers will be able to choose from a wide range of new, classic, local and international film titles.
“The idea with TV 2 Sputnik is that you literally have your own video rental store at your fingertips, so you do not have to fetch or return videos or DVD’s, but instead can control everything from your sofa. This is an exciting development that we have been both waiting for – and working on – for a long time”, says Kenneth Plummer, Managing Director of Nordisk Film.
Today around 33% of Danish homes already have a broadband Internet connection. For the best quality picture from TV 2 Sputnik, viewers will need a 2 Mbit or even higher connection, but the service will also work very satisfactorily with a slower broadband connection.
Read the press release in Danish.
For more information please contact:
Peter Parbo, Managing Director, TV2. phone +45 65 91 91 91
Kenneth Plummer, Managing Director,
Nordisk Film. phone +45 36 18 82 00
Rune Bech, Head of TV 2 Interactive, phone +45 65 91 91 91
NORDISK FILM is a division in the Egmont group and market leader within development, production and distribution of moving pictures in the Nordic countries. The activities comprise film, animation, commercials, music videos, video, DVD, TV as well as electronic games. NORDISK FILM holds the Nordic rights for distribution of Sony PlayStation and owns cinemas in Denmark and Norway. Furthermore, NORDISK FILM is owner of companies within post production, film laboratories and rental of broadcast facilities.
The annual turnover of NORDISK FILM was € 345 mio. in 2003 – the number of employees 1,090.
