RTE's catch-up web service is a big hit (source Post.ie)
28 April 09

The economic crisis means that RTÉ has no budget to aggressively market its new web TV player service, but the public service broadcaster has lofty ambitions for expanding the service onto new media platforms, such as game consoles and mobile phones.

Similar to the BBC's iPlayer - and developed at a cost last year of €500,000 - RTE's catch-up web TV service gives Irish broadband users a chance to watch programmes for up to 21 days after broadcast.

On offer are more than 200 hours of programmes, including imports like Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives, plus, for the first time online, the soap opera Fair City.

All news and current affairs output is on offer, and the service also features its own online rolling news bulletin.

Over time, the plan is to increase the content, make the player available on mobile phones and games consoles, and to launch an international version of the service, which is currently viewable only in Ireland.

Despite a lack of publicity, the new service attracted the interest of 7,000 people on its first night, watching 12,000 streams.

A small number of advertisers are already taking part in some of the streams, and the service is being offered for sale as a stand-alone option. Red Bull and Irish Broadband are among the early takers for the short ad breaks that run before shows begin.