When Groupe M6 launched a complete and innovative catch-up TV service called M6 Replay in March 2008, it was a pioneer in this market and largely contributed to the democratisation of catch-up TV in France, as much on the Web as on new screens. In a market where the consumption of online videos is booming, Groupe M6 is accelerating its development by supplementing its online video service with a new bundle of four complementary services based on economical models that are free (financed by advertising) as well as paid (by subscription to a service agreement). “We want our services to be available on as many distribution platforms as possible,” said M6 CEO Nicolas de Tavernost in the 15 October 2009 edition of the French financial daily Les Echos.
M6 Replay: M6 programmes in full after broadcast
As the standard bearer of this new video experience, M6 Replay allows Internet users to watch all M6 programmes (except cinema movies and sporting events) for free, after they have been broadcast and for 7 to 15 days. This service is enhanced with innovations for consumers, with the multilingual version for example, as well as for announcers, with the possibility of specifically “packaging” an identified programme, thus reaching a more targeted audience. Eighteen months after its launch, M6 Replay is still the most complete catch-up TV service on the market.
W9 Replay: W9’s catch-up TV service
Starting 9 November on PC and Mac (and shortly on Linux) operating systems, W9 will also have its own catch-up TV service making it possible to (re)watch W9 programmes (series, news magazines, entertainment, music, sports, etc.) for free, after they have been broadcast and for 7 to 15 days.
M6 Bonus: highlights and behind the scenes at M6
True complementary television, M6 Bonus prolongs viewing pleasure by selecting the best moments on M6 and generating buzz with highlights of new programmes and glimpses behind the scenes (interviews, the “making of”, out-takes, etc.) This service will offer all of today’s Web “essential” functionalities, such as content sharing with friends and communities via Facebook or Twitter, interaction during video screenings with an integrated commentary module, video rating and filtering. Since its launch, more than 3,000 items of video content, regularly renewed, are accessible at no cost. M6 Bonus is supported by the advertising formats that made M6 Replay effective. In view of this, previous advertisers on M6 Replay (including Ford) are renewing their confidence in M6’s “Video Experience” by serving as privileged partners in the launch of M6 Bonus.
M6 VOD: all the latest seasons of M6 series for 5,99 euro/month
A complete premium service with the top series on demand, M6 VOD is offering viewers a “Pass Series” for the first time, which for 5,99 euro/month will allow them unlimited access to all the latest seasons of the top series broadcast on M6 (NCIS, Desperate Housewives, Kyle XY, 90210, Medium, Kaamelott, etc.). M6 VOD also offers pay-per-view downloading of recent or cult films from a 2,000-title catalogue. M6 VOD will be available in preview in November to subscribers of SFR neufbox TV and is intended to have the widest possible distribution.
