Freeview adds device streaming in its latest app
Users of the Freeview TV catch-up service can now stream to their Chromecast-fitted televisions.
The announcement:
World-first app enables seamless streaming from digital devices to TV sets
Switch Media adds power of Chromecast to Freeview FV’s TV streaming app
For the first time Freeview FV app users are able to cast live and catch-up programs from 25 free-to-air channels from their digital devices directly and seamlessly onto home TV screens.
Developer of the app, Switch Media, one of the world leaders in content streaming, has updated Freeview’s FV TV streaming app with the addition of Chromecast functionality for both the Android and iOS versions.
The multi-award-winning app has been hailed as a world first because of its achievement in aggregating multiple free-to-air TV broadcasters onto a single app.
Chromecast is Google’s media streaming device that plugs into the HDMI port on your TV, connecting to your smartphone via Wi-Fi. Some TV sets have it built-in.
The Chromecast functionality allows viewers using Freeview FV to select and stream live movies, sporting events and TV shows as well as catch-up content from their mobile devices onto their TV screens – without the need of any form of aerial.
Christopher Stenhouse, CEO of Switch Media, said the Chromecast capability on Freeview FV allows a viewer coming home from work on the train, for example, to transition from watching their favourite program via the Freeview app on their smartphone to continuing to view it on the much larger TV screen.
“It’s a continuous transition from the small screen of their digital device to get that larger screen viewing experience or simply the convenience and comfort of watching at home, without missing a moment of the action,” Mr Stenhouse said.
“If you have the Freeview app, it’s only a matter of downloading the Google Home app, plugging in the Chromecast to your TV and tune it to recognise your device. Your smartphone, tablet or laptop then becomes your program remote control.
“Australians have an insatiable appetite for all forms of television, as reflected by the free-to-air daily ratings. The Freeview FV app with the addition of Chromecast is going to make life easier for a lot of people, allowing them to time-shift and manage their leisure time much more effectively.”
The Freeview FV app also includes the ability to browse and search free-to-air TV content, with an inbuilt TV and genre guide.
The Chromecast update comes shortly after Freeview FV won the Grand Prix at the Connected Awards (Connies) in London and the Gold Award for Best TV/Video Service Update or Launch at the awards.
Freeview FV has also won the Asia-Pacific Gold STEVIE Award for Innovation in Entertainment Apps and is shortlisted for the Australian AMY Awards, (the Digital Industry Association of Australia).
Connie Awards judge Ian Nock, Managing Director and Founder of British digital consultancy, Fairmile West, said that Freeview Australia implemented the vision of the future of television delivery, offering the full range of services and on-demand content on all devices.
“It is very ahead of the game for a free-to-air platform, was supported by broadcasters and resolved issues around multi-party content rights to make sure as complete a service as possible was available to the consumer,” he said. “It was a clear winner.”
The STEVIE’s judges said: “Excellent design with easy to use layout…The App appearance was set to be friendly using the mobile phone or tablet. The function provided is not complicated to use. The searching tool should be easier to find on the screen.”
Christopher Stenhouse said: “The Award wins have been a terrific vindication for the technical work and design of the app by our team,”.
Liz Ross, CEO, Freeview Australia, said: “For the first time globally, a 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,”.
Freeview FV features include:
- Live-streaming from all the free-to-air networks
- Access to all catch-up TV
- Browse and search
- A free-to-air TV guide
- Recommendations
- Ability to save programs to the favourites list
- Ability to set custom reminders.
ENDS
Source: Lighthouse Communications Group
