LONDON - Channel 4 is to merge the seven-day catch-up facility within VoD service, 4oD, into its core website, Channel4.com, next month.
Channel 4's move will enable Channel4.com users to watch programmes online up to seven days after their transmission.

Five also plans a similar move later this year - moving catch-up services onto its core website, five.tv, once it has relaunched its Five Download VoD service later this year.

Channel 4 originally intended to merge 4oD's catch-up offering into channel4.com once the planned VoD service from Channel 4, ITV and the BBC, codenamed Kangaroo, launched.

However, the launch of Kangaroo is now being delayed, with some observers claiming it will not now happen until August. Consequently, the broadcaster wants to press ahead with plans to beef up Channel4.com by hosting catch-up services on its main website.

A key factor behind the decision to move 4oD seven-day catch-up services onto Channel4.com is that the website attracts around eight million unique users per month, whereas 4oD only attracts about one million unique users per month via PCs. Channel 4 declined to comment.

The broadcaster is also planning to launch a full version of 4oD on Virgin Media's cable platform in May. The service is expected to offer advertisers the opportunity to carry ads on a pre-roll, post-roll and sponsorship basis.

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