EMAP rolls out VoD drive in brand extension push

EMAP is launching a raft of video-on-demand broadband channels as an extension of several magazine brands including Empire and Motorcycle News. The channels will launch on February 14.

EMAP Performance, the consumer digital division of EMAP, will launch 350 hours of content across the new channels, which will also include Today’s Golfer, with plans to add more in coming weeks.

The Empire channel will offer a film rental service, supported by Arts Alliance Media (a major shareholder of online film service Lovefilm.com), and bespoke film content.

Users of all three sites will be able to watch via laptops or PCs and will be able to pause and rewind content.

EMAP Performance says it is also looking at other genres of specialist content and is understood to see the launches as a major part of the company’s plans to accelerate its digital reach and capability.

The roll out follows the recently announced exclusive deal to provide EMAP-branded music video-on-demand services and programming for BT Vision, BT’s broadband TV service, which launched in December. The Hits on Demand channel allows users to access music across EMAP’s music brands Q, Kerrang!, Mojo, FHM, Smash Hits, Kiss, The Box and Magic.