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BT Prepares for Next Generation TV

UK telecom operator BT has announced deals with BBC Worldwide, Paramount and Warner Music Group for its forthcoming broadband television service. �A partnership between the country�s leading communications company and three of the world�s leading entertainment groups is great news for consumers in the UK,� said Ian Livingston, the chief executive of BT Retail. �BT is defining next generation TV.�

The as yet unnamed BT broadband television package will combine access to digital terrestrial television channels with video-on-demand and interactive services. Trials will begin in the spring and summer of 2006, with the service due to launch in the autumn. It will be available to BT broadband customers without an ongoing subscription fee.

The internet protocol television offering will use a set-top box from Philips, capable of providing high-definition services, including a personal video recorder capable of storing up to 80 hours of programming, and will be based on the Microsoft TV IPTV Edition software platform.

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