Groundbreaking new TV channel to bring cutting edge technology to property marketing

Hometime TV is set to revolutionise property sales and marketing through the use of interactive digital television and growing broadband and 3G technologies. It has been developed solely for the purpose of marketing property and finance and is the only interactive property and financial's channel in the world.

Due to go on air in late autumn 2009, Hometime TV offers developers, estate agents and financial institutions an effective method of using digital media to market properties coupled with financial's. It is a simple, low cost way to access the potential of the rapidly growing digital platforms. It will provide a targeted method of reaching house hunters to generate property sales leads. As a teleshopping service, all Hometime TV programming is geared towards driving sales with detailed information.

The launch of this channel will transform the way property is bought and financed by taking the marketing out of the essentially two-dimensional world of print and traditional media. Instead people will search, view and interact with the properties that interest them making the experience immediate, accessible and even fun.

Hometime TV will also offer quality generic programming with property related content such as mortgage advice and information on different locations. It will also provide (for those who sign up) a new virtual financial's service, which constantly revalue's the current property, providing the consumer with a good idea of equity in his home.

Via the virtual wallet the consumer can re mortgage at any time, apply for insurances and move home at the press of a button.

Information is on demand and visual, with a virtual broker to explain things along the way.

Technology Convergence Promises Increased Reach For Hometime TV

Although primarily a digital TV channel, Hometime TV will also be launched on broadband internet and 3G mobile platforms with a combined potential reach of over 190 million people.

Hometime TV is/has designed systems at the forefront of the converging TV, web and mobile technologies. the systems provide a flexible way to manage the growing media content types available. The systems manage all aspects of broadcast from content, platforms such as BSKYB and IPTV, sales, project management and interactive media. We have also developed a new interactive IPTV (TV via broadband) platform, designed to support internet functionality with on demand television. Hometime TV eventually aims to provide a seamless solution for companies to access the rapidly growing multi-platform digital market.

Hometime TV and broadband TV

Broadband TV, also known as Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), is a fast growing medium which will utilise the convergence of television with the internet. As broadband provision develops, broadband TV will improve and will one day replace the need for set top boxes. It offers the same experience as Sky Digital TV, but with the added advantage of web functionality, such as search engine capability and on demand video streaming.

Hometime TV is working with it's partners in developing a preferred broadband TV solution.

Through our IPTV services, companies using Hometime TV will have access to:

•  Managed programming content, allowing it to be planned and scheduled into play-lists

•  Electronic programme guide to find TV channels and video on the internet

•  A range of interactive services including video on demand, chat forums, with retail/ e-commerce capabilities

•  Customer Relationship Management providing unrivalled viewer and customer information.

Hometime TV and 3G Mobile

3G technology allows a fluid stream of video to be sent to a compatible mobile phone to be viewed. You can select a programme to view and watch wherever there is a strong 3G signal. Users can press the blue button or text the number on the screen to download a property video to a 3G enabled phone to be viewed later. Major telecommunications companies such as Vodafone and O2 have already invested heavily in this medium. In the future, this medium will offer interactive functions.

Hometime TV will transmit small amounts of video that can be stored in a compatible phone for viewing at any time (even when there is no signal). By targeting individual users with small amounts of video for storage, Hometime TV will avoid the 100,000 viewer bandwidth limit on the 3G system as well as heavy charging by the service providers, making it a cost effective option.

With extensive experience in both the property and television industries the team behind Hometime TV offer an unrivalled mix of expertise and specialist sector knowledge.

KEY PLAYERS

Managing Director - Stuart Roberts

Stuart is a retired main board director of Bryant Group, one of the UK 's largest developers and homebuilders. With responsibilities in the commercial and construction areas of the business, Stuart brings his organisational and motivational skills to the table, as well as an impressive list of industry contacts.

Production Director - Trevor Bedford

Trevor was educated at film school in Los Angeles and has worked on a number of independent productions in the USA , mainly in an assistant director/ production role. Trevor has also been a recording engineer working with many top name artists and producing television and radio commercials.

Commercial Sales, Sponsorship and Systems - Shea Media Ltd

Chairman - Peter Shea

Peter sat on the executive board of BSkyB and seen the broadcaster/platform through a phenomenal period of growth. He is one if the founding figures of Digital TV. He was responsible for building airtime sales from scratch to nearly £400m. He has also sat on the boards of BCAP, ASA, Nickelodeon, MUTV, Granada Media amongst others.

Dave Clephan

Dave has held many senior IT positions within the Virgin Media Group. Dave has recently completed a sales integration system for Disney ESPN, which integrates with their current channel management systems.

Nick Brown

The former head of IT at BskyB, Nick was responsible for the design of the main Sky Digital platform architecture and implementing the interactive technology. With over 25 years experience, he founded A2A group as a product development agency and consultancy for the fast emerging digital TV broadcasting markets.

The viewing experience

Hometime TV will offer entertaining and informative programming with generic property related content such as information on living abroad and mortgage advice, information on different regions, areas and towns and details of developments and properties currently for sale in those locations. The programming will be divided into focuses on different locations throughout the day.

A computer based system running behind the scenes will ensure that the property information being broadcast is always current. Details such as availability and prices are constantly sourced live from the developer or agent and are automatically updated to appear on the broadcast within seconds of any alterations being made.

Programme format

•  The area – Where is it? What is its history? What industry is there? What are the places of local interest? What is the natural environment like?

•  Local amenities – What is there to do? Details of restaurants, bars, nightlife, sports facilities, schools, transport etc.

•  What is for sale – Details of developments and properties available, including price information.

Viewers will be able to search for a property by area and then by specific development and house. Details can be viewed at any time with full interactive features. The interactive features mean that full details of properties and locations can be viewed at any time including videos and virtual tours.

There will also be access to a range of additional services such as financial information and advice, with our Virtual Broker and Virtual wallet.

Based on the four coloured button system familiar from TV remote control handsets, the interactive format can be developed to suit the companies taking part.

RED – Interactive services, such as book a viewing, floorplans, Virtual Broker, Virtual Wallet, insurances and other financial's, and competitions.

GREEN – On demand services, Video on Demand

YELLOW – Hometime TV programming guide

BLUE – Community information, such as polls, company profiles, emails including video emails, pod casting and Skype or Broadband Voice

(NB. Skype and Broadband Voice are only available on broadband TV and offer telephone services over the internet)

Questions and Answers

Q: What are the vital statistics for Digital TV and IPTV?

Click here to find out the Vital Statistics

Q: When will viewers be able to see Hometime TV?

A: Hometime TV is set to launch in 2009.

Q: When the channel goes live on Sky, will it be on broadband and 3G TV immediately too?

A: Yes, from 2009 we will launch on Sky Digital, broadband and 3G TV simultaneously. 

Q: What kind of programming content can viewers expect?

A: Hometime TV will offer entertaining and informative programming with information on different locations and details of developments and properties currently for sale. The programming will be divided into focuses on different locations throughout the day.

The programming will be professionally filmed and directed and will include high quality voiceover's. It will be of an extremely high quality on par with broadcasts from major players such as the BBC and the Discovery network.

The Virtual Brokers will be animated with the use of reconisable talent for the voice overs. They will cover the different financial products available and details of how to proceed further. Instructions on how to use the Virtual Wallet will also be in this format. All together there will be up to 8 of these instructional's.

Q: Will all of the interactivity be included on each platform?

A: Hometime TV will be fully interactive on SKY, broadband TV and 3G immediately.

Each platform has its own unique functionality which will be used to their maximum potential. Sky Digital TV will offer interactivity via the coloured buttons on the remote control handset. Viewers will have access to a range of additional features including financial services and product information such as floor plans.This includes Virtual Wallet and Virtual Broker.

Broadband TV offers the same experience with the added advantage of web functionality, such as search engine capability and on demand video streaming. Via the 3G mobile system, viewers can select programme's to download to view whenever they choose, and will also have access to other functionality when there is a strong 3G signal. Pod casting will also be available

Q: What kind of programming content can viewers expect?

A: Hometime TV is the very first channel in the world licensed to promote sales of property. Able to be viewed on different platforms – Sky Digital TV, broadband TV and on 3G mobile - it will offer an unrivalled one-stop-shop for house hunters to research, interact with and buy homes. It will bring together information and level of content that are not available in one place anywhere else. As well as its ability to offer a very rich and interactive viewing experience, all of the information provided will be completely current.  

Q: There are already channels like this on the internet, for example Real Estate TV. How is Hometime TV different?

A: Hometime TV will be a fully interactive, 24 hour teleshopping channel to promote sales of UK based properties. It can be viewed on different platforms – Sky Digital TV, broadband TV and on 3G mobile. Real Estate TV is a general entertainment channel with a limited (three hours per day) teleshopping service for properties overseas. 

Q: How is Hometime TV different from existing internet property portals such as Right Move?

A: Hometime TV will offer real, high quality film footage of locations, developments and individual properties for sale on different platforms – Sky Digital TV, broadband TV and on 3G mobile. Viewers will be able to move around properties at their own pace, zoom in on chosen details and interact with the footage in a way not currently available through any other medium. In addition, viewers can access a wide range of additional services such as video on demand, financial advice and property information, as well as having the ability to book viewing's of homes for sale or request further information.  

Q: Do you really expect that someone will buy a house off the TV?

A: Hometime TV will give people access to a higher quality of pre-purchase research and will be used to drive sales enquiries and visits to properties for sale. We hope that all property purchases will include and start with a visit to Hometime TV as a valuable, up to date resource. In the future, as people adapt to technological advances, some may indeed choose to make a purchase directly by using their interactive controls. 

Q: What has the reaction of home builders and estate agents been to the idea of Hometime TV?

A: Unanimous approval. With increasing use of the internet and technological advances, all see the convergence of technology as inevitable, and Hometime TV offers them a low cost and simple method of maximising its potential.

Q: Has anyone signed up yet?

A: Interest from both house builders and estate agents is already very high. Hometime TV is already in negotiation with two major national developers and with three national estate agency companies.

We have also had a high level of interest from financial services organisations, energy providers and a wide range of other companies seeking to take advantage of advertising opportunities on Hometime TV. 

Q: What filming and production service will developers and estate agents get from Hometime TV?

A: Hometime TV employs several expert film crews and directors who will film the generic area programme's, those on developments and properties for sale and the studio-based programme's These teams will provide programming of a very high standard with experience on the Grand Designs programme and BBC dramas amongst others.

Developers and estate agents will be fully involved with the content of their filming, including scripts for voiceover's and provision of graphics and property details such as pricing and floor plans.

The films will be professionally edited and produced before broadcast by an expert team at Arqiva, who also work with over 400 channels from organisations including BBC, ITV, Channel 5 and Discovery, to name but a few.

Q: TV has always been one of the most expensive media. Isn't Hometime TV going to be too expensive for everyone but the biggest players?

A: The TV industry has seen huge development over recent years, with a rapid increase in channels and decrease in prices. Through its relationship with Arqiva, a multi channel broadcast service provider offering great economies of scale, Hometime TV is able to offer developers and estate agents low cost access to this medium and to maximise the potential of the rapidly growing digital platforms, without any compromise in quality. It will also offer a highly targeted method of marketing properties to a selected audience. 

Q: Is there a minimum contract period/ number of properties?

A: We are seeking to negotiate annual contracts. There is no minimum number of properties. To ensure a high quality of programming, we would expect longer broadcasts for large, complex or particularly noteworthy developments than for individual properties. 

Q: Can developers and estate agents provide their own films to you?

A: We are keen to maintain a high standard of programming and we expect the majority of developers and estate agents to utilise our professional filming service. However, if our customers have appropriate content of their own already available, this can be supplied to us for consideration. 

Q: How will the property information be kept up to date?

A: A sophisticated computer based system at Hometime TV will ensure that all property information is kept fully up to date automatically. The system collects information live from a range of sources such as developers' web sites or a database system, meaning that as soon as any property information is altered, it will automatically be updated on the broadcast within seconds of the changes being completed.  

Q: Many developers are keen to sell properties off plan. How will Hometime TV display details of properties that are not yet built?

A: Where it is not possible to film a completed property, Hometime TV is able to use high quality computer generated images which the majority of developers use in other marketing materials.  

Q: What is to stop someone else simply emulating your model?

A: Hometime TV is the very first channel in the world licensed to promote sales of property. The team behind the channel offer a unique combination of technical expertise, industry knowledge and cutting edge technology that is currently unmatched and difficult to replicate.  

Q: Will content providers be limited to commercial developers and estate agents or can anyone market their property on Hometime TV?

A: We will offer a range of packages to suit a wide range of property vendors, including developers and estate agents both large and small. Although individual properties can be marketed on Hometime TV, the most cost effective route for this is likely to be via estate agents who can offer economies of scale. 

Q: How much advertising will there be on the channel?

A: Commercial breaks will be limited to six minutes per hour. Because Hometime TV will be available on multiple platforms, we are able to offer a wide variety of packages including interactivity if required. We have also had a high level of interest from financial services organisations, energy providers and a number of other companies seeking to take advantage of advertising opportunities on Hometime TV.  

Q: What should people do if they want to find out more?

A: Anyone interested in further information on Hometime TV should telephone 07917 890526 or email info@hometimetv.com

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