Mumbai: Rentrak Corporation announced that Video on Demand (VOD) viewing increased by 59% compared to the same timeframe last year. The data gathered from Rentrak’s subscribing multiple system operators (MSOs) showed consumers increased their time spent viewing VOD programming by 185 million hours versus the first quarter 2007.

Rentrak’s Q1 2008 data also shows a 36% increase in the amount of VOD content available to consumers. In the first quarter of 2007, there were about 52,000 titles available from Rentrak subscribing MSOs. In the first quarter of 2008 that number jumped to 70,500 titles, with the Free on Demand (FOD) category providing the highest increase in titles as new networks and additional content continue to be launched.

"Rentrak’s VOD playtime data illustrates the power and depth of the OnDemand Essentials service to provide valuable data to better understand the consumer trends that are shaping the On Demand industry," said Rentrak vice president Kristie Fortner. "As the On Demand industry grows and adds more content options, consumers will continue to be drawn to VOD programming to meet their viewing needs."