British Internet users will now have full access to the online SeeSaw TV service, an ad-supported platform containing limited content that is available for free.
The popular service was stress tested by 2,000 beta users for less than one month before this public launch was announced. SeeSaw now offers 3,000 hours of content from BBC, Channel 4 and Five -- independent broadcasters also will offer TV episodes and other content for SeeSaw.
Additional content from BBC and American broadcasters will be introduced in upcoming quarters. SeeSaw is available only for UK viewers, with American users presented with an error screen before a video loads.
"SeeSaw has been designed for both viewers and advertisers," said Pierre-Jean Sebert, SeeSaw CEO, during a press conference. "It's the best TV, collected together in one place on a site that's easy to use."
All content is free, but includes 60-second advertisements that are shown before and after each TV episode a viewer watches. Almost 20 different companies have agreed to become advertisers for the online service. Revenue is split between SeeSaw and the copyright holder.
Although the user interface is fairly simple to use, the realization that SeeSaw doesn't currently show newer BBC content will likely hurt the service.
Even with a major downside, SeeSaw still has an opportunity to steal some users away from YouTube. Since Hulu, the No. 1 online movie and TV site in the U.S., isn't operating in the U.K. just quite yet, this is the perfect opportunity to earn some marketshare before more real competition hits the region.
