Job channel''s business and franchise opportunities service

The Job Channel has opened up the 18 million audience reach of interactive digital television to franchise seekers and entrepreneurs with the introduction of its new Business and Franchise Opportunities service on Sky Active, ntl:home and Telewest Broadband.

For the first time, job seekers can learn about franchise based opportunities - in addition to traditional job vacancies - from the comfort of their armchair simply by pressing the red button on their TV remote control.

One of the first companies to feature in The Job Channel''s Business and Franchise Opportunities section is the Pub Estate Company - one of the UK''s fastest growing privately owned pub estate groups. Currently looking to attract up to 40 new landlords for tenancies across England, Scotland and Wales, its decision to incorporate interactive digital television into its business development activity follows the successful recruitment drive on interactive digital television by the major pub multiple, Punch Pub Company, earlier this year.

Gill Richardson, Recruitment & Development Manager of the Pub Estate Company, commented:
We were impressed by the stats - in particular the broad demographic reach - that interactive digital television delivers. Potential landlords come from all walks of life, and The Job Channel provides a highly flexible and cost efficient way of communicating with this audience.

Currently in 11 million homes, there are now more households in the UK with an interactive digital TV connection than with a PC based internet connection.

Angus Drever, CEO of MultiMedia Television PLC, the company that owns The Job Channel, said:

The Pub Estate Company joins a long list of household name companies that have now woken up to the potential of using The Job Channel''s Interactive TV service as part of their wider recruitment and business development strategy. We believe the Business and Franchise Opportunities section of the service will be of particular relevance to sectors such as the Licensed Trade, Logistics and Distribution businesses, Business Services and Skilled Trade Services organisations.

In addition to being featured in the Business and Franchise Opportunities, businesses using the service, such as the Pub Estate Company, will also be given a rotating banner ad in The Job Channel''s job section so as to flag up the wider business opportunities that can also be open to job seekers.