In 2006, Channel 4 launched its latest innovation: 4 on Demand (4oD). The London-based television network’s first video-on-demand service, 4oD offers customers the chance to catch up on TV shows for free up to seven days after transmission, as well as the option to rent or buy archived shows or films.

The offering has to be carefully monitored to ensure that content is of a high quality and delivered on time in order for Channel 4 to meet the varying Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with its infrastructure partners to avoid incurring the hefty fines associated with missing SLA deadlines. Channel 4 also wished to reduce costs associated with outsourcing Business Intelligence (BI) by bringing this strategically important business area in-house.

To meet these needs, Channel 4 leveraged its existing SAP BusinessObjects Data Integrator software to analyze and monitor the efficiency of the 4oD content creation process. Channel 4 had initially deployed the software in 2002 when switching to a new airtime sales system to support advertising sales in real-time. This history of successful deployments within ad sales led to management’s decision to expand its relationship with SAP, eventually deploying SAP solutions within 4oD. The high functionality and performance of SAP’s products and services together with Channel 4’s corporate commitment to investing in one BI vendor across the enterprise also factored into the company’s decision to go with SAP.

Working closely with SAP consultants, Channel 4 managed to complete its updated IT system within just 20 weeks. The software has delivered many benefits. Timely process monitoring and alerts provide Channel 4 with a detailed insight into 4oD data quality, ensuring that quality problems are addressed early. The reports are available over the Intranet using SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence software. Channel 4 now has rapid insight into the volume of content created and can see if it is being delivered in line with partner-specific SLAs. In-depth content analysis further provides Channel 4 with useful data about end-user programming and purchasing habits, helping the network to respond quickly to changes in demand and grow the business accordingly.

Thanks to Channel 4’s relationship with SAP, 4oD has gone from being an experiment to providing a core revenue stream. “We see lots of potential for growth. We’re confident that SAP BusinessObjects software will scale to support 4oD growth and meet the changing BI needs of our business,” says John Telford, 4oD Project Manager.