(13 July 2005 1:30 pm)

MUMBAI: One of the leading broadcasters in Japan, Nippon TV is all set to launch a fee-based service to distribute television programmes over the internet. The broadcaster is planning to launch the service by October this year.

Media reports have quoted Nippon TV officials as saying that the broadcaster will have a Web site where registered users will be able to download programs already shown on TV for 100 yen.

The downloadable programs, which will be ones with no copyright restrictions, might be divided into several three- to 15-minute segments, the reports added.

Nippon TV also plans to create programs specifically for Internet-based distribution. However it will broadcast this content first on television.