Press release
Liverpoolfc.tv signs-up ntl:Telewest Business
- Liverpoolfc.tv selects ntl:Telewest Business to provide
network infrastructure for new office location
- Club’s website uses structured
cabling and managed internet services to ensure site resilience and
capacity for new services
- New infrastructure enables live
streaming of newly launched TV Channel (LFC TV) to online premium
content subscribers
23 October 2007. ntl:Telewest Business, part
of the Virgin Media Group, is working with Liverpoolfc.tv, (the
company responsible for the official website and TV Channel of
Liverpool Football Club ‘LFC TV’), to relocate its IT operations
and bring content from its new television channel to subscribers of
the popular online video subscription product; ‘e-Season
Ticket’.
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/ is one
of the most visited sports websites drawing 2.9million unique users
per month. Therefore a reliable network to support the existing
website and the increasing breadth of LFC content is paramount to
the company. ntl:Telewest Business is supplying structured cabling
and managed internet services that not only does this, but also
provides the flexibility to grow with demand.
The website has long been established as the
place for fans to source official news and club information, buy
tickets online and watch LFC highlights and goals. However, this
season sees a further enhancement to the video offering provided to
e-Season ticket holders, who will now able to watch live content
from the Club’s TV channel. For the first time subscribers will be
able to view the full 90 minutes of every FAPL, Champions League
and Carling Cup match that Liverpool play (subject to holdbacks) as
well as all Reserves matches live, selected friendlies live plus
programmes such as the John Barnes Show, This Is Anfield and LFC
Now. ntl:Telewest Business’ 10 Megabits-per-second (Mbps) managed
internet services will help the website cope with the demands of
streaming large volumes of data quickly.
“Having to move the IT setup out of Anfield
was a difficult operation, but it has opened up a lot of doors to
us,” said Michael Crowder, Project Co-ordinator for Liverpoolfc.tv.
“Whereas before it was a real challenge to fit in all the equipment
we needed into the office as technology developed, we were handed a
blank page and allowed to start from scratch with the move. We
selected ntl:Telewest Business for the network infrastructure
because the technology will provide an excellent service today and
in the future as we continue to increase site visitors and improve
the content proposition for fans globally. The ability to do this
is critical for our website as we bring new services and new media
online.”
Andrew Marshall, business services sales
manager in the North West, ntl:Telewest Business said,
“Liverpoolfc.tv is a pioneering sports website and a British
success story. The huge internet capacity and cabling we’re
providing will help enable the company to successfully expand its
online services. The ability to broadcast the exciting new content
generated by the TV channel will help to satisfy the viewing
appetites of its global fan base.”
Notes to Editors
ntl:Telewest Business:
ntl:Telewest Business, part of the UK’s second
largest fixed-line telecommunications company, is a leading
communications provider to businesses, public sector organisations
and service providers in the UK. It delivers a complete portfolio
of voice, data and internet solutions nation-wide.
ntl:Telewest Business sales and support
teams are located across the UK, in close proximity to our
customers, as part of a commitment to deliver superior customer
service.
ntl:Telewest Business delivers services over
the Group’s £13bn investment in its state-of-the-art infrastructure
giving business customers access to the largest alternative network
in the UK.
ntl:Telewest Business is trusted to provide
critical communications to high profile customers
including: Heathrow's Terminal 5, Birmingham City Council and
Cambridgeshire County Council.
For further information go to
www.ntltelewestbusiness.co.uk.
LIVERPOOLFC.TV:
Liverpool FC.TV, a joint venture between
Liverpool Football Club and ITV established in 2000, is the media
arm of the Club and has pioneered the use of media technologies
allowing LFC fans greater access and interactivity with their
club.
The official Club website, http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/ , is
firmly established as one of the most visited football club
websites in the world and the e-Season Ticket subscription product
is the most successful in the Premiership with almost 60,000
subscribers and high quality content and interface technology
emulated by similar products from other clubs.
The TV channel ’LFC TV’ is available in the UK
and Ireland as part of the Setanta Sports Pack and replaces the
previously produced 3 hour Club programming-block that is
distributed to 52 countries outside of the UK offering an enhanced
selection of content to fans globally.
Sara Doggett, PR
Executive
ntl:Telewest
Business
T: 01256
753101
E: Sara.Doggett@virginmedia.co.uk
Sam Grace, Press Office
Rainier PR
T: 020 7494 6593
E: sgrace@rainierpr.co.uk