Channel 4, ITV To Start Streaming Video Content To British PS3s This Week

British broadcasters Channel 4 and ITV will offer on-demand video content for British PlayStation 3 system this week, marking the first commercial TV content on the system in the region. Channel 4's on-demand 4oD player is currently available on the channel's web site, though the ITV Player is currently available only through certain British cable and satellite providers. But both will soon be available to PS3 owners with a broadband internet connection, according to a UK Guardian report. PlayStation UK Marketing Director Alan Duncan told the paper he thought PS3 availability could increase on-demand viewership for the channels by 10 percent. "There is a compelling story to tell about the PS3 that goes far beyond gaming," he said. Channel 4 Commercial Business Development Director Sarah Rose told the Guardian she was open to bringing 4oD content to the Xbox 360, but that Microsoft was "not coming to our door" to look for the content. The BBC has offered video content to PS3 and Wii owners through its iPlayer service since last year. PS3 owners can also get access to streaming movie content through a subscription to the UK's LoveFilm service. An October report found one in five American console owners have used their system to watch TV or movie content in the last month.