The service, available through Zurich's intermediary website, is the first of its kind to be launched by a UK life company. Advisers have the opportunity to view webcasts given by individual fund managers, as well hearing the thoughts of industry figures, such as Adair Turner talking about pensions reform.

The video reports show Sterling's investment and Zurich's pension fund managers being interviewed about the management, performance, outlook and strategy of their fund, aiming to give advisers all the information they need to be able to recommend the most relevant Zurich and Sterling funds to their clients.

In addition to Zurich TV, Zurich and Asset.tv have also launched "Zurich web seminar". This monthly interactive service gives advisers direct on-line access to Zurich's fund managers, via the web, from their desks. Questions from advisers can be submitted direct to the fund managers by on-line instant messaging.

Unlike traditional seminars, a web based seminar means that advisers don't have to spend time and money on travel, enabling them to spend more time at their desks or with their clients - and the added bonus is the environmental benefit of reducing travel.

Commenting on the launch of "Zurich TV and Zurich web seminar", Chris Gillies, Managing Director Zurich Intermediary Group, said: "The idea of Zurich TV and Zurich web seminars is that advisers can get all the information they need, direct from fund managers, to ensure that they can recommend the most relevant funds to meet their clients' needs.

Gillies continues: "This is a great example of how we are using technology to adapt our service to intermediaries' changing needs. Advisers want easy access to quality information that will add value to their business. It's already proving to be very popular. Around 300 intermediaries have taken part in the first two web seminars and over 800 intermediaries have already accessed Zurich TV, via our intermediary website. I am sure that both Zuricurich TV and Zurich web seminar will gain an increasing audience from this very promising start."