subject: Understanding TV on demand [print this page] Understanding TV on demand Understanding TV on demand
While the computer is unlikely to take the central place of the television in living rooms for some years yet, the increasing overlap between the two mediums means it's now possible to catch up on programmes you've missed online, as part of your regular TV subscription.
TV on demand is a growing phenomenon that's already changed the way many people watch TV, as they no longer need to set timers or reminders to record their favourite shows if they won't be home to watch them. By streaming available shows directly over the internet, you can watch TV series and films at your leisure - whether during your lunch break on your work computer, or while travelling with a laptop or mobile phone.
Some TV on demand services offer live streams of shows being broadcast at the time, meaning there's no delay between what you're watching and what people are seeing on their TV screens. You don't even have to be connected to the internet around the clock to enjoy TV on demand, with some broadcasters allowing you to download shows to be watched later at your convenience.
'Convenience' is the philosophy behind TV on demand, and it's no wonder that all of the UK's major broadcasters have embraced the technology to offer more for their loyal viewers. However, it's important to note that TV on demand follows many of the same rules as your regular TV subscription - just because it's hosted online doesn't mean it can be accessed by anyone, especially if the shows belong to non-terrestrial broadcasters.
The good news for anyone who subscribes to such a TV package is that your subscription will automatically include on-demand services too, which can be accessed by entering your account information online. You may not find that all channels are available on demand in this manner, but more are becoming available all the time, and you can be sure that the most talked-about and popular shows across a wide range of networks will be available to watch at your leisure.
Broadcasting rights and limitations may mean you are unable to access some shows depending on your situation - for example, if you're travelling abroad and attempting to watch programmes intended only for British audiences. Other contractual agreements between international broadcasters can sometimes mean there is a limited time during which certain shows can be hosted online before they need to be taken down.
