Videofutur, the commercial brand of French fibre ISP Vitis, has introduced a network PVR (nPVR) service offered as part of its two new FTTH packages, named Vic and Victoria, available on a footprint of over 1.1 million households covered by public initiative networks. The launch coincides with several other announcements made by the company, on new content partnerships and additions to the product portfolio.
The nPVR has been developed by the ISP based on the know-how and platform of its parent company Netgem. It offers 80 hours of cloud-based recording accessible from compatible devices for up to three months, and is provided as an opt-in service for a fee of EUR 0.36/month, representing the private copy levy set by Copie France.
As part of the new Vic broadband package, the nPVR will be available via the ISP's new multi-screen app, MyVideofutur, which also includes access to 27 DTT free-to-air channels, four news channels, and a number of replay and SVoD services from Videofutur's content partners.
Targeting the so-called digital-native generation, the Vic package is currently marketed at the reduced price of EUR 19.90/month for the first six months, rising to EUR 32.90 after the promotional period. Customers who prefer to access Videofutur's TV platform via a traditional STB are offered the Victoria multi-play bundle for EUR 39.90/month (discounted to EUR 29.90/month for the first six months). At this price point, the TV service includes a new version of Videofutur's 4K TV Box, the opt-in nPVR with all major French channels, replay, SVoD, pre-loaded apps such as YouTube, as well as optional paid-for TV channels.
Both new packages are subject to a twelve-month commitment and entail the activation of a new phone line. With the higher-tier Victoria plan, customers are offered at no extra charge the "Unlimited calls to landlines and mobiles” add-on during their twelve-month contract.
Looking at the content proposition, Videofutur said that it has renewed its distribution agreement with M6, covering the non-linear services of the broadcaster’s DTT channels (M6, W9 and 6ter). The ISP signed a similar deal with TF1 in January and then expanded its TV offering with channels owned by Lagardere (Canal J, TiJi, Mezzo), and Trace (Trace Urban and Trace Latina). From September, eleven additional new channels will become available on Videofutur's TV platform following a partnership with Mediawan (RTL9, AB1, Science & TV Life, All of History, Automoto, Mangas, Trek, Crime District, Animals, Hunting & Fishing, and Golf Channel).
The ISP counts more than 300,000 subscribers, generating annual revenues of EUR 10.4 million in 2018. In March, it secured a deal to commercialise its multi-play offers across the public initiative fibre networks run by SFR, starting from this summer. Similar agreements are already in place with Altitude, Axione, Covage, and TDF.