RDF Media is planning to launch its own on-demand broadband service offering viewers the chance to download programmes made by RDF and other indies.
RDF Media is planning to launch its own on-demand broadband service offering viewers the chance to download programmes made by RDF and other indies.

It would be the first indie to launch such a service and comes after the new media deals struck between producers' association Pact and terrestrial broadcasters.

The deals with the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 have paved the way for programme-makers to exploit new media rights in areas such as broadband and mobile.

RDF chief executive David Frank said: 'The broad outline is that the new media terms of trade established over the past few weeks have made it clear who owns what on non-standard platforms. As a result we have spent quite a bit of money over the past month commissioning research into what appeals to customers online.'

Although Frank says 'it is early days', an initial service offering RDF's own content may be up and running by Christmas and, depending on how quickly deals can be struck with third party independents, the offering would expand.

As it stands, under the new media agreements, C4 has a 30-day exclusive window in which to exploit new media rights, sharing revenues with producers. ITV has struck a similar, 30-day, revenue-share deal. The BBC can offer programmes for download which, once opened, can be watched for a seven-day period. Five is still thrashing out a deal out with Pact.

RDF, the indie behind hits such as Wife Swapand Holiday Showdown, is exploring pay-per- view, pay-to-own and subscription models. It has also not ruled out making the service available outside the UK.

The move is likely to give RDF and other indies which use the service a stronger position when it comes negotiating rights deals with broadcasters. For example, if after 30 days C4 does not make a deal with RDF for another five months for video-on-demand/pay-per-view rights, RDF can make the show available online. For download to own rights, RDF can make the programme available after 30 days, regardless.

Debbie Manners, RDF's new commercial director who was poached from Flextech earlier in the year, is heading the project.

'I am four weeks into the job and this service is high on the agenda. We're in lots of conversations with lots of people. It's a way of exploiting the rights we own,' she said.