History
The concept of such a channel emerged back in 1999, when it was announced on 29 September that LUTV could be on air at some point in 2000 if the BSkyB deal was approved at an EGM scheduled for the following Monday. However, nothing more materialised until the channel was provided on a free one-month trial run in March 2001 by eGlobal Digital, a leading technology firm. A club-specific WAP service was also created at the same time and it became the first of its kind in the football world.
This trial took place as a precaution to ensure that the firm would be able to provide the required content and that there would be a good fit between the club's and the firm's ambitions and mode of business. The company supplied LUTV with the ADSL technology required to provide fans with access to pre-match preparations and press conferences – "the news behind the news", as Andrew Cucksey, the then-Leeds United marketing manager, branded the initiative. The pre-match preparations for Leeds' Champions League match against Spanish side Real Madrid were broadcast on 6 March and the fans were told that even if the relationship fell through, the club would be committed to LUTV and would continue the service with another provider.
Initially, LUTV was carried by RealPlayer, but it was not of true broadcast quality. However, nowadays the content is digitally broadcast due to the development of more sophisticated technology. The club's WAP service was carried by BT Cellnet and the special Siemens handset could be used to purchase tickets, place bets on Leeds United games and send emails to other Leeds fans. It was given away for free to fans signing a 12-month contract, along with one-month's free line rental. WAP Integrators provided a tailored information service for users.
Presently, the service can only be accessed by paying a monthly or annual subscription.
Read more about this topic: Leeds United Television
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