Video on Demand (VoD)

Video on demand is a term used to describe shows that are available whenever the viewer chooses to watch them. There is no need to wait until a show is on, it can be played whenever you like. Vod (Video on Demand) can be delivered over the Internet to home computers and even high tec mobile phones. Also with IPTV technology it can be brought to home televisions.

In order for VOD to be developed, it required extensive negotiations between content creators and cable providers. Cable providers offered VOD as part of digital subscription packages, which by 2005, primarily allowed cable subscribers to only access an on-demand version of content that was already provided in linear distribution. Included in these packages were "extras" and "bonus footage" rather than full episodes of television shows.

The British Video Association (BVA) for the year 2003 to 2004 showed that the number of illegal downloads of films and television programmes may have increased to 1.67 million, three times the number estimated to have taken place the year before. This was estimated by the BVA to have cost the DVD industry in the UK £45 million in lost revenue. The DVD industry was worth around £2.42 billion to the British economy in 2003 .
It is estimated that the UK film industry was worth around £4.3 billion to the UK's economy, but that in 2007, illegal copying and sharing of films may have cost the economy up to £404 million.

The UK Film Council believes that the digital distribution of films to the home and to mobile devices presents an opportunity to increase significantly access to independently produced and distributed UK films and specialised film within the UK.