Cogeco cable launches Video on Demand Articles / Cogeco Cable Posted by RAD on Nov 22, 2002 - 04:19 AM A new Video on Demand (VOD) service has been launched by Cogeco Cable. The service is now available in the Ontario regions of Hamilton, Niagara and St Catharine's and in the Quebec regions of Trois-Rivières, Shawinigan and Grand-Mère. Roll-out to all other customers will be done gradually: approximately 45% of customers by Christmas and 70% by the end of February. The new VOD service will enable digital customers to watch movies with all the functions of a videocassette recorder (pause, stop, rewind and fast forward); all commands are activated on the remote control of Cogeco Cable's digital box. The film ordered is available for viewing for a period of up to 24 hours. Customers no longer have to wait for a specific movie start time or go to their video store to rent their movie. The VOD service does not require any new equipment. To obtain the service, Cogeco Cable digital cable customers simply use their digital box. No subscription is necessary and there is no monthly fee. Customers only pay for the videos that they rent. According to Ron Perotta, Vice-President, Marketing and Sales, "Our investment in developing two-way capability, the result of a state-of-the-art technology, means that we can provide our customers with interactive services that are not available via one-way satellite technology." In order to provide the most attractive products to its VOD customers, Cogeco Cable concluded a long-term agreement with Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc., whereby VOD customers will be able to access Cogeco Cable's film library comprised of an impressive lineup of current releases as well as older titles and will be continuously expanded with the most recent hits. VOD movie lovers this fall will be treated to such hits as "Lord of the Rings", "The Shipping News", "Gosford Park", "Kate and Leopold", "I am Sam" in the comfort of their homes. During the VOD launch, Cogeco Cable digital cable customers will be given their first movie free-of-charge. Thereafter, rates will vary around $5.49 per movie depending on the category. This article is from CHANNEL CANADA   http://www.channelcanada.com/ The URL for this story is:   http://www.channelcanada.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=136