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Freeview planning to kill YouView with a new connected TV service
All's fair in love and war, especially if you're a major UK broadcaster. Once big investors in YouView, the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 have agreed plans to wound the service they helped create by doubling-down on Freeview. The three companies (joined by Sky and Arqiva) are attempting to secure the free-to-air service's future by developing a new branded connected TV platform that will bring on-demand (or catch-up) content to Freeview for the first time. The five-year deal will see TV channels and on-demand apps like iPlayer, ITV Player and 4oD come as standard on smart TVs with internet connections. It deliberately goes against BT and TalkTalk, which have been accused of taking YouView's free-to-air principles and turning it into a paid (and quite pricey, if you include the cost of the box) service. Given that Freeview is already widely supported, the Beeb et al. may find it easy to convince TV manufacturers to adopt a new connected variant. If they do, expect on-demand services to come embedded as standard in the near future.
ITV channels come to Sky Go in time for the World Cup
It's hard to sniff at Sky Go, the service that lets you watch live TV on computers and mobile devices when out of set-top box range. Free to Sky subscribers, its main weakness is a limited channel selection, which is slowly but surely being addressed through new agreements. Today, one such deal adds all of ITV's channels to Sky Go, just shy of a year after Virgin Media brought the same selection to its equivalent TV Anywhere service. The new Sky-exclusive channel ITV Encore will also serve up both live TV and on-demand content through Go when it launches in early June. E!, Home and Lifetime are also set to be added to the service over the summer. Considering ITV will be broadcasting 34 World Cup games, the new channels have landed on Sky Go at an opportune time. If you don't have Sky, though, remember you can still catch all that footy while out and about on ITV Player.
BT Sport steals Sky's crown jewel, gets exclusive rights to the Champions League in 2015
Do you like to spend huge sums on Sky Sports just to catch the big moments in European football? Well, in the biggest thing to happen to UK broadcasting in years, BT Sport has outbid (by a considerable margin) both Sky and ITV for the exclusive rights to show both Champions and Europa League matches between 2015-2018. It's a huge coup for the nascent broadcaster, and a statement of intent that it doesn't want to become the next ITV Digital. What this means for consumers, of course, is that £22-a-month Sky Sports subscription (on top of the £21 you pay for the basic package) just took a big hit in value, and that if you want to see the world's biggest game, you're gonna have to buy a BT Sport subscription.
ITV Player for Android v3.1 now available on all Android devices
Remember the three-month exclusivity deal where only Samsung tablet owners could watch ITV Player? Well, now that it's September, anyone with a Google-powered slate can get their The Jeremy Kyle Show fix. Along with axing the manufacturer restriction, the company has fixed various glitches including slow performance and video reset after commercial breaks. It's available gratis from Google Play right now, just in time for this week's X Factor.
ITV introduces ITV Player Premium subscription for iOS
The UK's ITV has announced that is is offering an ad-free ITV Player Premium subscription for iOS users for £3.99 a month. The current ITV Player app allows users to catch up on on-demand TV shows for up to thirty days after that air, but these shows have ads. Now ITV is hoping to profit from people who like their TV shows sans-ads. From the press release announcing the new subscription service: The new ITV Player app for Apple devices introduces a premium upgrade, which allows viewers to watch the last thirty days of ITV's catch up content across ITV, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4 and CITV without advertising, as well as live simulcast of ITV3 and ITV4 via wifi and 3G. The upgrade costs £3.99 per month. ITV's catch up content with ads and live simulcast of ITV's flagship channel and ITV2 remain part of the ITV Player app for free. When users update the application on their iPhone, iPad or iTouch, they will be given the option to subscribe to ITV Player Premium to receive access to the ad-free content and additional live channels. ITV Player for iOS is a free download from the UK App Store.
ITV Player for iOS offering ad-free subscriptions for £3.99 per month
Fancy catching up on The Jeremy Kyle Show without sitting through adverts for Minogue milk and hair cream? ITV is offering iOS users a premium upgrade for ITV Player that'll cut the commercials and provide simulcasts of ITV3 and 4 over 3G and WiFi. The upgrade will set you back £3.99 per month and is part of the company's attempts at testing business models that don't involve Ant or Dec. The Cowell-factory is also boasting that the iOS edition of the app has been downloaded more than seven million times, a tribute to the enduring popularity of Downton Abbey.
Samsung gets exclusive access to new Android ITV Player app until August 31st
While we've seen broadcasters and other content providers launch smart TV apps with only one manufacturer, ITV's decided to give Samsung rare exclusive Android access to its ITV Player. The Korean outfit announced it would get the refreshed app all to itself until August 31st, meaning Brits who use the previous, Android-agnostic ITV Player will have to forego the new version until that time. The update now includes landscape navigation support for smartphones and tablets, along with 3G/4G streaming, improved video playback and support for older versions of Android. ITV says it's offering the app exclusively to Samsung "for an initial period while we endeavor to optimize and improve the experience before releasing to other device manufacturers." Oddly enough, Samsung didn't mention that beta-testing aspect in its own PR, which is right after the break.
YouTube channel coming to on demand Freesat party in March
Google's signed a deal to bring YouTube to Freesat, liberating users of the subscription-less service from the tyranny of needing an additional device. The BBC / ITV joint venture already has 60-odd channels and has now sold over 3 million boxes to 1.7 million viewers, who will be able to access the official YouTube addition through the main programming guide by the end of March. While details are scant, it'll presumably join ITV's player and the BBC iPlayer in the on-demand channel list, which require a compatible Freesat box (see coverage link below) and an internet connection. We're not sure how it'll look in the final guide, but the fanciful image above shows our best guess.
Queen's Christmas Message to reportedly air in 3D, project the royal presence further (update: not entirely first)
Loyal subjects of the United Kingdom who also embrace the cutting edge of TV may get an extra treat this year. Queen Elizabeth II has reportedly recorded her annual Christmas Message in 3D, supposedly becoming the first member of the British Royal Family to embrace the video format after Prince William turned it down for his wedding. We'll naturally need 3D glasses to catch all the nuances if it happens, although the extra dimension wouldn't be exclusive to the producers at BSkyB who captured it: both the BBC and ITV should supposedly have access as well. While donning funny-looking eyewear for a speech isn't usually our first choice for entertainment, we'll make an exception for Her Majesty if Buckingham Palace confirms the 3D broadcast. Besides, it may be the perfect test of a new 3D TV waiting under the tree. Update: Thanks to reader Steve, we now know that claims of this being the Queen's first sojourn into 3D weren't right. While it would certainly be the first Christmas Message in 3D, we've learned that a CBC TV crew only just got to shoot in 3D earlier this year. Technically, the very first 3D footage of Queen Elizabeth II was recorded on her coronation in 1953, but it wasn't discovered and processed until just recently.
ITV Player revamp brings ad-free TV rentals, keeps the free catch-ups
As a profit-driven network, ITV has its work cut out in the online streaming world when the BBC's iPlayer looms overhead. How do you compete with a cultural institution? Its solution these days is one of sheer choice: it's launching a publicly available beta of its ITV Player refresh that offers TV show rentals. While viewers will have free, ad-backed viewing for the last month's worth of programming, they'll also have the choice of renting 30-day access to archived episodes at 49p (79 cents) each without the pesky commercials in between. Anyone who just can't get enough Collision can spring for a 90-day rental of a whole series at a lower total price, and the broadcaster is even planning trials of streaming-first episode premieres -- if only we were so forward-thinking in the US. We'd question the wisdom of anyone who really, truly needs an uninterrupted The Only Way is Essex, but at least those who want fodder for water cooler chats can blast through their pseudo-reality TV at a record pace.
Sky+ update allows undeleting recorded shows, more on-demand and future Catch Up TV
Sky+ has been on a bit of a tear refreshing its set-top boxes, and it's not about to stop now. When ready, a new update for the satellite TV provider's devices will let you undelete recorded programs; deleted shows are now moved to a separate space and only removed permanently either through age or if you really, really don't want to watch. If you're more interested in watching content that's always available, both Anytime and Anytime+ will be rebranded as On Demand, while the Sky Guide is adding a dedicated store tab for movie rentals. Catch Up TV is also nearing with the update and should aggregate the last week's worth of shows from Sky in addition to BBC iPlayer, Demand 5 and ITV Player. The gotcha, as we know all too well from these kinds of firmware revisions, is the timing. You'll have to have either a Sky+ HD 1TB box or the Sky+ HD DRX890 to get the upgrade early on, and Sky is staggering its deployment in a move that could leave some subscribers twiddling their thumbs.
Netflix coming to future Freesat satellite TV boxes
Netflix making good on those investment promises for its UK viewers, with the streaming service set to be included in a new set-top box coming tomorrow. According to The Telegraph, the new device will link straight into Netflix services. Freesat's satellite TV offering launched back in 2008, with both BBC and ITV behind the project, while the new set-top box is rumored to add on-demand downloads and the ability to view programs up to eight days since they first air -- catching up to similar services from BT, Virgin and Sky. We're likely to hear more tomorrow, but Freesat's hoping it will be enough to make Brits reconsider those wallet-thumping Sky subscriptions.
ITV Player 2.0 adds live streams of the UK broadcaster's TV to iPhone, iPad
For our friends in the UK, ITV Player has received a 2.0 update that gives you live access to ITV 1 and ITV 2 over Wi-Fi or 3G. ITV also will provide an extra stream for live events that do not show on either of those channels. For those wanting to catch up on a show, however, that can only be done via Wi-Fi at this time. Users can now use content switching within the app and will be able to mirror using AirPlay. Retina graphics and improved location services have been added to the app. [Via Engadget]
ITV Player 2.0 brings live streams of the UK broadcaster's TV channels to iOS
It's on Apple's iPhone and iPad, but this is the ITV Player, not the rumored iTV supposedly under development in Cupertino. After initially launching last summer (along with an Android version) offering streaming video on-demand, the UK channel's iOS app has been updated to version 2.0 to offer a live streaming feed of its two channels. Other than just ITV1 and ITV2 over WiFi or 3G, if there's a live event being broadcast that isn't on either, you'll still be able to tune in via the app. Other new features include AirPlay Mirroring, easier switching between content, improved location detection (to determine what channels are available) and Retina Display quality graphics on the iPad. Unfortunately, The Digital Lifestyle points out catch-up access is still unavailable over 3G, but those with access should grab the new app from iTunes.
Britain's ITV warns Apple again not to use "iTV" (Updated)
Back in August of 2010, UK commercial television network ITV balked at rumors that Apple would rebrand the Apple TV as iTV, threatening legal action. Years later, the network is at it again, this time addressing rumors that Apple's "hobby" is due for a refresh and potential re-branding. Apple has never confirmed plans for a revised Apple TV, but ITV is still prepared to protect its trademark. The Telegraph reports that the company recently wrote to Apple, warning it not to use the name for either an updated Apple TV or the much-rumored "smart television" that's supposedly in development. It makes sense for ITV to protect itself but so far it's addressing rumors. Besides, Apple and Cisco were able to work things out when Apple re-branded the iPhone operating system "iOS." Update: The Verge is reporting that ITV has not issued a new warning to Apple regarding the use of "ITV." The network told The Verge, "The Telegraph's piece is entirely speculative, and there has been no communication between ITV and Apple. ITV has no further comment on the matter."
Globe and Mail reveals early details on Apple iTV: Siri wants to hear you shout at the big game
iTV rumors continue to swirl around the shady backwaters of the internet, but it's not often national papers of record decide to wade in -- Canada's, no less. According to an anonymous source who spilled the beans to the Globe and Mail, Apple's TV set will include Siri-powered voice control, with the virtual assistant also helping in those ever-pressing "programming choices". There will also be gesture recognition courtesy of a front-facing camera and (perhaps most worryingly) an on-screen keyboard for typing into a web browser and other apps. The paper couldn't confirm whether the device will play nice with the rest of la familia iOS, although another mole informed the Canadian news source that both Rogers and BCE Inc are jostling to claim a stake in the mysterious device, with Apple apparently actively courting both carriers.
British broadcaster ITV makes the move to Mac
Another major company has made the switch to the Mac. This time it's British broadcaster ITV, which is currently in the middle of a five-year technology transition. The company will switch out its employees' PCs with Macs and include Google Apps in the deal, installing Google's software on hardware for 7,000 different employees in the system. Not all of the company's employees will get Macs, as apparently different roles may still need PCs for certain types of software (Boot Camp, anyone?). Still, given the choice, I think plenty of the employees will probably elect to go Mac if they can. There's no mention of using iPads or iPhones in the workplace, but that seems a given; we've already seen in the past just how much using these devices at work can help everything from productivity to innovation. Welcome aboard, ITV. We're glad to see another big company making the switch over to the Mac platform at work.
Google remains committed to TV business, expects more partners soon
Wondering what Mountain View has in store for Google TV -- that half-baked content platform available on only a small handful of devices? Well, it's not going away, apparently, and may even cross the Atlantic into Europe next year. Google Chairman Eric Schmidt is currently making waves in Scotland, giving Edinburgh International Television Festival attendees a rather vague overview of what the next generation of Google TV may look like. Schmidt said that the service has yet to take off because it's currently integrated with (a rather limited selection of) TVs, which we don't tend to upgrade more than once or twice a decade. He added that additional hardware and content partners will be coming soon, though, and didn't deny that Google TV could end up on Motorola cable boxes -- an obvious move, given the company's recent acquisition announcement. With widespread implementation and many more content partners, Google TV could definitely be a hit, but with ABC, NBC and CBS still unwilling to come onboard, the struggling service likely has a very rocky road ahead before it can be deemed a success.
Google TV coming to the UK within six months
Hey! Britain! Guess what? You're getting Google TV! Try to temper your excitement, we know this is a big day for you, but there's still a bit of a wait ahead. According to the Telegraph and the Daily Mail, Google is aiming to deliver its set-top software to the UK sometime in the next six months. Eric Schmidt is expected to announce the plans at the Edinburgh Television Festival (which starts today), likely including integration of BBC's iPlayer and ITV's Player. Sadly we don't have any more details yet regarding a specific launch date or hardware, but we wouldn't be shocked if it's timed to coincide with the release of the Honeycomb version of Google TV.
ITV Player apps launch, bring streaming TV shows to Brits on iOS and Android
UK broadcaster ITV is following the lead of competitors like the BBC and Channel 4 by releasing mobile viewing apps for iOS and Android over the last few days, bringing catch-up service to WiFi-connected mobiles. So far the release includes a version optimized for the iPad, but no native Honeycomb app just yet. Other restrictions include requiring Adobe AIR on Android (just like ESPN's app) and geographic restrictions on some of the content. Still, the apps are free so to our friends across the pond, we can't share our barbecues and fireworks today, but there are Market and iTunes links below so you can catch up on some Coronation Street.