UK TV and leisure firm Granada Group Plc announced yesterday it was to become an internet service provider. Granada will follow the precedent established by electrical chain Dixons Group Plc, which runs its Freeserve ISP by taking a cut of the revenue from calls made to its service. Its online service called G-Wizz will steer away from ‘portal’ and focus on creating a wealth of sticky content related to its highly popular TV shows. This will include online participation during and after shows, and exclusive gossip for TV fans.
Users will also be able to choose email addresses at their favorite soap locations (for example, fans of soap opera Coronation Street may be able to be viewer@the-rovers-return.co.uk). Granada will be able to boost its revenues with potentially lucrative online advertising and is exploring selling education and revision materials online via its Granada Learning channel to boost cash. The firm will also offer its users a split of ad revenues in return for dumping banner ads on the home pages they have created. Naturally, the site, when opened in November, will also give Granada ample opportunity to sell its media products and merchandise online.
