The launch of UPC's digital video recorder (DVR) facility next month signals the "rst shot "red across the bows of Sky as the battle over telecoms and multimedia convergence is joined on Irish shores.

Digital video recording technology makes watching TV akin to watching a video.

It transforms the set top box into a hard drive allowing viewers to record television programs without video tapes or discs, as well as pause or rewind live TV. UPC's new DVR package will compete with Sky's similar Sky+ service which is based on a satellite platform rather than cable. UPC's DVR service will cost an extra EUR7.50 on top of existing subscription rates and be available to all cable TV subscribers.

The Sky+ service is free for existing subscribers but they must pay a once off installation fee of 149.

SERVECAST TO BOOST NET SPORTS COVERAGE

IRISH internet broadcasting company Servecast is setting its sights on North American sporting events and expanding its soccer coverage in Europe after its 33m acquisition by Level Three. Level Three claims to provide the physical backbone for 50% of internet traf"c, much oh which is increasingly video content.

Its buy out of Servecast benefits Denis O'Brien's Island Capital, Eddie Jordan, Lioncourt Capital, and Servecast managment.

Servecast said it is now accelerating its business plan with Level Three's backing and will expects to more than double its existing staff of 40.

Servecast is Level Three's first investment in Ireland. The Colorado-based company turns over US$4bbn and maintains 20 of"ces in Europe with more than 300 employees.