25 May 2007 07:00
Embargoed: 0700hrs, 25 May 2007
DCD Media plc ("DCD Media, the "Company" or the "Group") Launch of Global Video-On-Demand Website
DCD Media plc, the arts, entertainment and drama television production and distribution group, is pleased to announce that it will launch a global video-on-demand broadband website later this year, taking advantage of the surge in consumer demand for access to content through new media.
The site will cater predominantly for the lucrative classical music and performing arts markets, offering several hundred hours of content from DCD's classical library of over 2,000 hours. As well as offering ballets such as "The Nutcracker" and "Swan Lake", and operas such as Mozart's "The Magic Flute", the site will also offer live coverage, such as concerts, with content being replenished each week.
It is envisaged that the site will be funded by advertising revenue and offer consumers the opportunity to stream or download content for free but will not enable them to keep it permanently. Whilst the site will be launched in this format in all the major territories of the world, the Company is currently in discussions with a major US broadcaster with a view to cross-promoting the US version of the site.
The directors anticipate that the site, which has relatively low establishment costs, will enhance Group earnings in the financial year to 30 June 2009.
DCD Media Chief Executive, Chris Hunt commented,
"There is strong evidence of consumer demand for high quality content to be freely and readily available on the web and that control of a niche allows a content provider to attract substantial numbers of users. When we piloted a similar site previously, over three quarters of a million people streamed our content in a month; this can now be leveraged into significant revenues from advertisers."
For further information please contact,
Chris Hunt, Chief ExecutiveDCD Media plcTel. 020 7297 8000Ben SimonsHansard GroupTel. 020 7245 1100
DCD MEDIA PLC