SBS has just released their own Android App, which allows users to access their online video streaming service – On Demand.
Currently available only on the Samsung Apps Store (with no Google Play entry), the app appears to be an exclusive to Samsung devices similar to the recent launch of the Foxtel Go for Android App, although there has been no statement from Samsung nor SBS on the exact terms of the deal. Of course, the exclusivity deals for Samsung have not worked out too well so far with the APK for all their apps being shared quite quickly throughout sharing sites, so it should only be a matter of time before the APK is ripped and shared by eager Android enthusiasts.
The SBS On Demand app can be currently be seen on the Samsung App Store, there’s no computability list for the App listed on the web store so if you would like to download it on your Samsung device, you’ll just have to open up the Samsung App store on your device.
Feature wise the app can :
- Search or browse from thousands of SBS videos.
- Sign-in to access your Playlist.
- Stay up to date by subscribing to a program, which will automatically add new episodes to your playlist.
- Be notified by the app when a video becomes available or is about to expire.
- Find out which programs are coming soon to SBS ON DEMAND.
- Share your favourite videos with your friends via Twitter, Facebook or email.
Screenshots provided by SBS include a tablet layout and what appears to be a Navigation Drawer for both the tablet and phone version.
With no Samsung device to test this out on, it’s over to you dear readers, to try it out and let us know what you think – my personal recommendations from the On Demand catalogue are – ‘In the Flesh’ and ‘Vikings’ but feel free to make your own choices and let us know your thoughts on the App – or share a link to the APK 😉 – below.
Update: Well, that didn’t take long – James has sent us a link to the APK – you can grab it here, there appears to be no device checks or anything to ensure that you’re running a Samsung device. Of course this APK is from ‘The Wild’ and there’s no indication of anything that could have been modified but if you’re willing to risk that, side load away.
Udpate 2 (Friday Oct 4): We’ve received SBS’ official press release detailing the release of the app:
SBS LAUNCHES ON DEMAND ANDROID APP
The SBS ON DEMAND App is now available for Samsung devices via the Samsung Apps store.
SBS Chief Digital Officer, Marshall Heald, said: “This launch really cements SBS’s position as a leader in the online space, with SBS’s catch-up viewing service – SBS ON DEMAND – available across more platforms than that of any other broadcaster”.
“This launch follows extensive device testing, in the first phase of a roll-out across Android devices. SBS ON DEMAND will be progressively available on other Android handsets”.
“SBS ON DEMAND already attracts over five million views per month. This latest move to Android devices, starting with Samsung, is only going to help boost those numbers, allowing SBS to reach the growing audience of Australians who are hungry for great content on the go.”
SBS ON DEMAND offers free, unlimited access to programs and clips, so audiences can watch their favourite SBS shows, whenever they want.
Users can search for or browse thousands of videos, and discover documentaries, feature films, food shows and much more. Users’ favourite videos can be added to a personal Playlist, to view at a later time. Plus, if signed in with an SBS ON DEMAND account, viewers will be able to access their Playlist across all devices on which SBS ON DEMAND is available.Other features include a program subscription tool, allowing audiences to stay up to date, with new episodes automatically added to their Playlist. Notifications will alert viewers when a new subscription video has been added, or when a Playlist video is about to expire. Users can also find out which programs are coming soon to SBS ON DEMAND, and add them so that they will automatically be
included in their Playlist once available.The App features adaptive video quality, meaning videos automatically adjust to available bandwidth and networkconditions. Videos may also be shared with friends via Twitter, Facebook or email.
This App is designed for devices running Android OS 4.0+ and above (Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean). For a full list of support devices, please visit the Samsung App store.
Samsung’s App Store currently lists the app as compatible with the following (quite extensive) list of devices:
- Galaxy Note 3 SM-N900X
- Galaxy Note 10.1 LTE SM-P605
- Galaxy Note 10.1 Wi-Fi SM-P600
- Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005
- Galaxy Ace 3 GT-S7275
- Galaxy S4 Active GT-I9295
- Galaxy Tab 3 LTE 8.0 SM-T315
- Galaxy Tab 3 Wi-Fi 8.0 SM-T310
- Galaxy Tab 3 SM-T211
- Galaxy Tab 3 LTE 10.1 GT-P5220
- Galaxy Tab 3 Wi-Fi 10.1 GT-P5210
- Galaxy Note 8.0 LTE GT-N5120
- Galaxy Note Wi-Fi 8.0 GT-N5110
- Galaxy S4 GT-I9505
- Galaxy Xcover 2 GT-S7710
- Galaxy Express GT-I8730
- Galaxy Note II GT-N7105T
- Galaxy Camera EK-GC100
- Galaxy Note II GT-N7105
- Galaxy S III GT-I9305
- Galaxy Note II GT-N7100
- Galaxy S DUOS GT-S7562
- Galaxy S4 GT-I9500
- Galaxy Beam 8530 GT-I8530
- Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 GT-P5100
- Galaxy Tab 2 Wi-Fi 10.1 GT-P5110
- Galaxy S III GT-I9300
- Galaxy Ace 2 GT-I8160
- Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 GT-P3100
- Galaxy Tab 2 Wi-Fi 7.0 GT-P3110
- Galaxy Note 10.1 GT-N8010
- Galaxy Note 10.1 GT-N8000
- Galaxy Tab 10.1 GT-P7503
- Galaxy Tab 7.7 GT-P6801
- Galaxy Tab 8.9 LTE GT-P7320T
- Galaxy Tab 8.9 LTE GT-P7320
- Galaxy Tab 10.1 N GT-P7501
- Galaxy S II LTE GT-I9210
- Galaxy Note GT-N7000
- Galaxy S Advance GT-I9070
- Galaxy Tab 7.7 Wi-Fi GT-P6810
- Galaxy Note GT-I9220
- Galaxy Tab 10.1 GT-P7500
- Galaxy Tab 10.1 GT-P7510
- Galaxy S II GT-I9100T
- Galaxy S II GT-I9100
We asked SBS for more details on the arrangement with Samsung. With limited internal resources to support development of the app, SBS worked with Samsung for development and testing. Given this, it’s understandable that the app will be exclusive to Samsung’s App Store before making its way to a wider release on Google Play. We’re told that this exclusivity will last 3 months.
Despite this, as mentioned above the APK is already available and does not appear to be locked to Samsung devices. If you’ve installed the app on your own device, let us know in the comments whether or not it works.
How are you finding SBS On Demand? Are you using it on a non-Samsung device? Let us know in the comments!
Used to work well on my nexus 7 but seems that since installing the 5.02 upgrade it has stopped working. ??
https://mega.co.nz/#!4QV1CJDB!pCZTmYc1blbWerZa26RBUpYYttOsZS6VPknIkOLdiQw
Ask and you shall receive here is the apk
And Dropbox
https://db.tt/LJFslqsj
just installed on my Sony Z1 work perfect!!
finally I can watch sbs on the move!
I just keep getting an error saying ” Unfortunately sbs on demand has stopped working” This is on my Samsung Galaxy S4. Done the uninstall restart phone. Nothing works. It used to run ok
I have the same problem now as well on my Samsung galaxy tab 7.7 tablet. It was working ok about two weeks ago when i last used it, now it’s broken. It works fine on my galaxy s2 phone. I tested limiting the screen resolution of the app using root privileges and the xposed framework installer, app settings tool, and it launches fine if i restricted the screen to 854×480 on the tablet. It also runs in portrait mode at this resolution on my tablet. On any resolution above that it wants to run in landscape. The native resolution of… Read more »
Works just fine on the HTC One
SamsungBloodySamsung
Much obliged!
Considering SBS is supposed to be owned by the public doing exclusive deals seem pretty BS to me.
Lol so the apk isn’t wanted haha I tried to post the link but it seems someone removed it!
Nah, it’s Disqus – it removes comments with links. It’s now showing 🙂
Cool! I thought that maybe my sarcasm detector was broken… Phew
It’s not solely Samsung who are guilty.
It’s also the television notworks who are equally to blame. Cutting device manufracturer exclusive deals blocks viewers from accessing content. This is the exact type of behaviour which drives viewers to commit copyright infringement.
Why jump through television notwork and device manufracturer hoops to get the connedtent, when ChannelBT has it all without the hassles?
This is why I HATE Samsung. Instead of acting in the open spirit of Android they’re trying to become another Apple.
I agree, but without Samsung funding there wouldn’t be any app for android at all! Baby steps.
What the…?!?! I’ve been waiting for this App for ages and I can’t use it on my either of my Nexus devices??
I thought part of the reason of having was a Nexus was to increase your compatibility!
Works on my nexus 4… Force closes on nexus 7.
What devices were you running it on? Maybe it’s a tablet / scaling thing?