Online TV recording site shuts down

A spokesman for NetrinoUK, the company that web hosts TVCatchup, said the service was shut down yesterday due to "terms of service violations" but would not comment further. It is unclear how long the site will remain closed. TVCatchup was not available for comment.

TVCatchup enabled people to record shows from broadcasters, including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky, and aimed to make money through selling ads around this content. TVCatchup's founder, Adam Smith, has previously said that the site was on target to get 100,000 daily unique users by the end of 2008.

Following the launch of TVCatchup the BBC said it would investigate the viability of the service.

The closure potentially puts in doubt the company's relationship with WPP's 24/7 Real Media, which was hired in December to sell banner and video ads on the site.

This article was first published on Media Week