FreeviewPlus app launches with Live streaming
New free to air live streaming app is now available for iOS iPhone, iPad, and Android.
- Published by David Knox
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Free to Air live streaming platform FreeviewPlus has now launched for iOS iPhone, iPad, and Android.
The joint app features Live streaming of Free to Air channels including ABC, SBS, Seven, Channel 9, TEN, ONE, ABC2/ABC KIDS, ABC ME, ABC News 24, 7TWO, 7Mate, 7Flix, Racing.com, 9Gem, 9Go! and 9Life, SBS 2, SBS Food Network and NITV.
ELEVEN appears to be out of the mix for Live viewing, while Freeview says more Live channels will be added as they become available.
Links to catch-up sites SBS On Demand, ABC iview, PLUS7, 9Now, and tenplay are available in the TV Guide section.
For Live sport, the app mirrors the network’s sporting rights agreements. The free app requires a Postcode to be entered before it will function.
Encouragingly, it will also be able to mirror to Apple TV using AirPlay.
CEO Liz Ross said “This is a fantastic new way for consumers to enjoy TV on their terms and never miss a thing, especially when they’re on the go and away from home.
“The Australian FTA industry has united to create and deliver a powerful mobile consumer experience – in no other market has an FTA industry collaborated to create its own live streaming app.
“Freeview FV is a very exciting step forward for the FTA industry as it continues to evolve and retain its position as a global leader in innovation,” said Ross.
The mobile app will be measured and reported through OzTAM VPM.
Developed by Freeview, the new Freeview FV app is available on iOS iPhone, iPad, and Android phones. In addition to live streaming and catch up, the simple-to-use Freeview FV app offers other great features including:
browse and search all free-to-air programs
a free-to-air TV guide
favourites and reminders functions
recommendations.
The mobile app can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play. Freeview FV. The launch of the app will be supported by a dedicated TV campaign featuring the Freemans family, transit advertising, digital and social media.
27 Responses
I watched the ad for it with the teenage girl watching it on her phone from various locations, my first thought was “gee what’s her data usage like?”. I cannot imagine this would be great outside of a fixed wi-fi setting, it would chew through mobile data like you wouldn’t believe.
Still it’s a good first step, I hope they make a Universal Windows App so I can use it on my phone, computer and Xbox.
I wont be using the app as I do not have any android or ios devices but I was curious to not that they created an ipad app but no app for android tablets? Its also getting some really bad reviews in the google play store so maybe a sign of the quality of the app?
From what I have read its only got live feeds no catch up. I’ve read that the app doesn’t require an account but 9 live channels on 9 now do so how does that work?
I haven’t actually looked at the app, and I know it says ‘android phones’ but in theory if the programmers have done their jobs right, the android app should scale between different resolutions and screen-sizes depending on the device, without the need for separate tablet and phone apps.
Thanks for explaining that.
“I was curious to not that they created an ipad app but no app for android tablets?”
There’s an Android app. Android apps work equally well on phones or tablets (I’ve only once seen an exception to this), so no need for different versions.
“the app doesn’t require an account but 9 live channels on 9 now do so how does that work?”
Rather well, it appears. As you mention, the one thing missing is catch-up.
Mine didn’t even ask for a postcode, it grabbed the region from the GPS.
Mine is missing channels 7 & 11, plus channel 1 says “This show is currently unavailable”, but otherwise seems to work well.
Well the app is not slow and sluggish which is great. I also like its design. You can’t seem to customise the TV Guide as yet – by turning channels on/off and reordering them. It does fail on its one big reason for existing though — live streaming and catch up for all FTA channels anywhere, any time. Hopefully they add more platforms / compatibility over time – Chromecast, Windows 10, Xbox One, Playstation. I also thought they would have catch up built in to the app (rather than just linking out to each one) — i.e. watch Nine News in the FV app or 9Now. Surely the networks get the ad revenue from the relevant catch up shows, just in the one app — probably not that simple though.
When are these networks going to support consoles?
Xbox One has Tenplay, Plus 7, iView and SBS, and PS4 has the same but no Tenplay. And no support from Nine whatsoever despite the fact they announced it last year. For what it’s worth, none of the existing console apps have live streaming either.
Will Freeview bring a console app at least?
If they created a windows universal app they would cover a bunch of windows devices including x box console, pcs, tablets and phones.
Can I beam it to my TV with Chromecast?
Jokes aside, I can’t believe how antiquated some of the catch up apps are with lack of Chromecast support.
I don’t see any Chromecast support in the app. I suppose you could use screen mirroring, it’s the darling of lazy devs.
I don’t see Channel Seven listed either (only 72, 73, 76 & 78), aside from Eleven, which was mentioned as MIA.
“For Live sport, the app mirrors the network’s sporting rights agreements”, so no AFL.
“Other channels are choosing not to stream everything direct to mobile, for what Freeview CEO Liz Ross calls “strategic” reasons, and that includes Channel 10″. (CNet)
Not just that but also NRL, V8 Supercars, EPL and Cricket.
I had a quick look. I noticed any of the Ch9 channels direct you to 9Now.
I have Ten/One unavailable to me currently (1pm EDT).
I already hve 7live/9Now/iView apps that allow me to stream live but adding SBS/Ten is appreciated and having them all in one spot is great too.
For channel 9 was that the live feed, catch up or both?
I have no idea to be honest. It took me straight into the 9Now app, which I already have. I think it was just live feed but I might be wrong.
I went back and had a look, its purely the 4 live offerings 9 have. So essentially a very watered down version of the full 9Now app.
This is good news however as I have recently found out its still not free it chews up a lot of data personally for me WiFi ain’t an option because I don’t have decent WiFi! But still its a great option! Now if Ten can sort its crap out in regards to no streaming of Eleven!
It’s a free app, yes your data is your own usage and caps.
Keen to know if someone in WA can enter 2000 as their postcode to watch live East Coast channels? But you may need to delete and reinstall the app to enter 6000 again.
The next version will use the GPS as confirmation and ask you to turn off the ad-blocker.
David is it not the same if you tried to put in 6000 from where you are?
I entered 6000 and was able to view the WA telecasts. I live in Melbourne.
VPN might do it!!
Maybe you might need to turn off the Location Settings there. I’ve worked it on an iPhone without the +7 app and noticed that WA viewers can type in which Postcode where they want like Brisbane 4000.
Thanks for the tip! I’m in Perth and just put 2000 as my location and I’m currently watching XFactor live.
Channel 9 is a pain and it redirects me to 9Now which won’t work, it takes me to my local programs.
Yes I think if I lived in WA I would keep 2000 as my setting to watch Live when it suits, especially if you can airplay it to your big screen.
Pity no Chromecast support which is a bad decision?