Television on demand
Back in the 1930s, a new household phenomenon was born as families began to gather around their television sets to watch one channel of BBC programmes.
Over the decades, popular shows like EastEnders and Coronation Street have become a regular feature in people's homes, with viewers sitting down at a set time each week to catch the latest chapter of their favourite show.
But now, more than 70 years after television first invaded our homes, the way we watch programmes has transformed.
Not only are there thousands of channels but there is a growing amount
of on demand and catch up facilities, meaning viewers can watch shows
days, weeks, months or even years after they are aired, on their computer, television, mobile phone or iPod.
Media consultant Christian Payne, of www.ourmaninside.com, who lives in
Hartwell, said television was rapidly changing to keep up with other forms of media. He said: "It is not just on airlines where we have the ability to watch what we want, when we want. There is masses of choice on the internet and television has to keep up, otherwise it will become a two-dimensional dinosaur."
A guide to on demand and catch up television:
BBC iPlayer
This allows viewers to catch up on selected BBC programmes free for seven days after their first TV broadcast, and some series can be downloaded and stored for 30 days. The programmes can be watched on a computer, or downloaded direct to an iPhone or iPod touch. From yesterday, the service is also available direct on television if you have Virgin Media.
ITV Catch up
Selected ITV programmes (all ITV channels) are available to download for free to a computer up to 30 days after their first TV broadcast.
Four on Demand (4oD)
Selected current and past shows and films can be downloaded using software from the 4oD website. Once on your hard drive, files are valid for one month but expire 48 hours after they have been viewed for the first time. There is a small fee for many of the films and shows but there is a free 30 day catch up service.
Five download
This has a limited number of shows available to download, from 99p an
episode. Some programme episodes can also be downloaded seven days
before they are aired on television and viewed on a PC. They must be viewed within 14 days and expire within 48 hours after they have first been viewed. Whole seasons can be bought for 29.99.
Virgin Media
This has a wide selection of free and paid for, current and past, films and shows. The amount of available material depends on your television package but the service includes seven day catch up television. BBC iPlayer is also available for free direct to a Virgin Media television. It is possible to catch up on programmes you are not subscribed to and 4oD programmes are available.
Sky+
This allows you to record and store shows, without tapes, and pause, rewind and replay live TV. The service also automatically places 40 hours of programmes on the Sky Plus hard drive.
Tiscali TV
This currently offers on demand films, pop videos and more than 350
programmes. All on demand content except films is free. It also has a free seven day catch up service on popular BBC and C4 programmes.
BT Vision
Users can pause live TV and record up to 80 hours of television programmes. There is also a selection of on demand music, television shows and films on a pay as you go tariff.
Freeview Top Up TV+
Customers can pause live TV, record two programmes at once, store up to 120 hours of Freeview recordings and record a whole series with the touch of a button. Meanwhile, Top Up TV Anytime costs 9.99 a month and gives you a choice of 600 extra programmes a month on the channels you want to see.
Number 2: We'll save you pounds on...Car insurance
CAR insurance is an area where money can be saved if research is done.
The message is simple: shop around. Different companies offer varying
rates, so it's just a matter of finding the right one.
Don't just settle for the renewal price offered by your existing insurer. By either phoning around, getting quotes from insurance company websites or using price comparison sites, a cheaper quote can be found.
And before you make a decision to go with a new company, go to your previous insurer and the chances are they will beat your best quote.
Another key piece of advice is to get the quotes online, where most firms offer a 10 per cent discount.
Chronicle & Echo reader Barry Clough, aged 26, of Brixworth, saved 120 by shopping around for insurance for his new Mini. He said: "When my
insurance was up for renewal this year I wasoffered 380 by Tesco, but I was confident I could get a better quote.
"I spoke to Direct Line who offered me 350 and then Norwich Union who
offered me 340.
"I went back to Tesco and they offered me 330."
More independent advice is available at www.moneysupermarket.com.
A POTENTIAL SAVING OF 50
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