TV catch-up for all free to air stations is about to get a lot more interesting in Australia with Freeview announcing their mobile app will launch in November.
The app will include live-streaming as well as catch-up TV of all 15 free-to-air networks currently broadcasting in Australia making it easier to find all your favourite TV shows in one place.
Freeview was launched in 2008 by free-to-air broadcasters as a way to present a unified consistent marketing platform to compete against subscription television services such as Foxtel. The Freeview mobile app will include all the features of the Freeview platform including a Free-to-Air Electronic Program Guide, recommendation engine and a Browse and Search feature letting you find your favourite shows more easily.
Freeview CEO Liz Ross said
For the first time globally, an FTA industry has united to create and deliver a powerful consumer experience. Freeview FV will deliver fantastic choice and convenience in one place, it is simple and-easy to-use, and it will meet the needs of audiences wherever they may be. From live streaming news and current affairs during the morning commute to catching-up on a favourite TV program on the way home, Freeview FV will completely revolutionise access to the free-to-air TV offering in Australia.
Details on release platforms will be provided closer to launch. In terms of availability, Freeview says their mobile app will be ‘available to all Australians through their mobile devices’ so Android and iOS apps are almost certainly assured, though possibly a Windows Phone app could be made ready, but Freeview hasn’t advised.
We’ve asked for more information regarding possible Android TV or even Chromecast support, but may not hear anything more until later.
