[12] Senior Technical Architect, Ben Gidley, acknowledged looking into iOS solutions, although a lack of DRM stalled development.

"It started as an opportunity, but we have now equipped ourselves in a strategy to deal with international expansion, on a business-to-business basis through partnerships," Mr Sebert said.

On 2 December 2009, SeeSaw announced a content deal with BBC Worldwide, so shows such as Cranford, Lark Rise to Candleford, That Mitchell and Webb Look and classic Doctor Who would be available for viewers at launch.

SeeSaw reached a separate agreement with UK independent distributor Digital Rights Group, which resulted in ITV dramas, such as Doc Martin and Kingdom being made available.

A range of BBC Worldwide shows were also available to rent, including The Royle Family, Gavin & Stacey, Spooks and Louis Theroux documentaries.

The firm said that "several" other agreements were in the pipeline with "major Hollywood studios" to offer around 2,000 hours of premium content in the coming months.

On 18 August 2010, SeeSaw agreed a content deal with NBC Universal Television Distribution to make shows such as House, 30 Rock and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit available on its video on-demand website.

[27] On 3 March 2010, SeeSaw hired Neovia Financial to implement and manage a payment system for its premium content service.

[30] Pierre-Jean Sebert, formerly MD of British Eurosport, was appointed as Managing Director of SeeSaw on 31 July 2009 but left the company in 2011 as part of financial restructuring at Arqiva.

[34] On 19 January 2011, Arqiva announced plans to find an investment partner for SeeSaw, with options for a sale of the online TV service believed to be under consideration.

[35] Arqiva completed a strategic review of SeeSaw in October 2010 and was seeking an investment partner to help with the "aim of accelerating the development of the service".

As part of the deal, Criterion was required to raise a multimillion-pound round of funding to drive the rejuvenation of SeeSaw and set up its 28 staff in new headquarters by 31 August.