BT is testing an advertising-funded video delivery service to evaluate demand for a different video-on-demand business model, according to Light Reading Europe. Three movies are available to download for free and contain targeted ad insertion.

Broadband TV News reported yesterday that BBC's iPlayer will go live on December 25th. The computer-based free catch-up TV service has been in beta since launch back in July 2007.

French broadcaster TV5 Monde has created a global online video-on-demand portal titled VODéothèque. The new platform offers nearly 1000 documentaries and reports in French. Videos can be rented for 48 hours starting at €1 or a permanent download starting at €1.99. TV5 Monde has a temporary offer to watch a documentary for free from their 1000 programs available. The offer is valid from December 3rd thur 10th 2007.

EchoStar is changing their name to DISH Network and will be spinning off some of their businesses, namely their set-top box division that now owns Sling Media, creators of the Slingbox. Read more at GigaOm.

In some older news, Brightcove will be closing doors on the ability for consumers to upload and share personal video clips. Brightcove said it will stop accepting video uploads after December 17.