Channel 4 had ditched the pay-per-view fees for VOD that it had launched with its original 4oD incarnation – but that doesn’t mean it won’t try to milk the final series of Big Brother.
The broadcaster has re-introduced the 24/7 live web stream for the reality show, which it took offline in 2005. But it now costs £0.49 for a day pass, £1.99 for a week pass or £14.99 for a season pass covering the 13-week series.
It’s powered by Perform Group, the video streaming supplier which more commonly enables live broadcasts for football and other sporting websites and teams. Payment is via PayPal, Netbanx or debit cards.
“The money generated will cover some of the costs it takes to run the live streaming,” C4 product manager Marc Haefer writes on a blog.
There may be a small audience large enough to make the idea profitable – but we’ll have to wait to see.