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BBC to offer 30-day catch-up and more online shows as part of iPlayer revamp
The BBC believes it's only just getting started with its iPlayer catch-up service and has laid out new plans for it to become the corporation's primary source of digital content. Led by Director-General Tony Hall, the BBC says it will commit to more exclusive content for online audiences, focusing on popular brands like Doctor Who and Eastenders, while extending the availability of catch-up shows from seven to 30 days so you can watch them back at a more convenient time. Hall's new "vision" will also include the launch of "BBC Store" -- an online marketplace that allows you to buy TV shows and keep them forever (if you live in the UK). Currently, TV shows can be downloaded to a number of devices, but are subject to time restrictions. The broadcaster wants to double its online audience by 2022 -- reaching 500 million users a week by the time it celebrates its centenary. In order to do this, the BBC wants to change the perception of iPlayer as a catch-up service and position it as destination that allows you to curate your own TV viewing schedule. With access to more content before it is on TV, the BBC will provide options to pause and resume viewing on one screen to another, also letting you provide feedback on the shows that you'd like to see more (or less) of. The BBC plans to relaunch iPlayer in the first half of 2014, putting it on a level footing with its traditional TV channels.
Sky adds 'The Wire' and other high-profile TV box-sets to its VOD collection
With the news that Netflix is being brought to Virgin Media's TiVo boxes, Sky needs to cook up some sort of response. That's why the broadcaster has thrown some money around to offer those premium US dramas everyone raved about before Breaking Bad (The Wire, The Sopranos and Mad Men). If you own a Sky+HD box and use Sky Go, you can now binge down on those shows, plus offerings like Seinfeld and Boardwalk Empire. The new collections will be added from tomorrow, nestled alongside existing domestic fare like I'm Alan Partridge and The Inbetweeners. At the same time, Sky has let slip that more channels will be coming to its Catch-Up TV service including Discovery, Star, Watch, G.O.L.D. and E! -- hopefully meaning we'll never again miss an episode of The Soup ever again.
TVCatchup adds catch-up TV for UK's major broadcasters
For the first time, the ironically-named live-streaming service TVCatchup is offering catch-up TV. From later today, the outfit will be baking-in links to the UK's four major broadcasters' on-demand platforms to its own service -- giving you a choice between watching live TV and binge-watching old episodes of Only Connect. While access to BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4OD and Demand 5 is currently limited to the browser, the feature will be rolled out to TVC's mobile apps in due course.
Channel 4 brings offline viewing to 4oD for Android and iOS
The UK's Channel 4 is no stranger to on-demand programming, and now it's bringing the convenience of offline viewing to the mobile version of 4oD. In the latest update for Android and iOS, registered users can download shows that aired during the past 30 days, all for free. From there, users have seven days to view the content before it expires. There's a subtle catch, as all programming must be downloaded over WiFi, from within the UK or the Republic of Ireland. Once downloaded, however, shows can be watched offline from anywhere. Offline viewing is currently restricted to the network's commissioned shows, but it's looking to add programming from other studios in the future. Consider this Channel 4's way of keeping up with the Joneses... or in this case, the BBC.
Acetrax movie service to close, lights go dim on June 21st
It's just as likely that you'll know Acetrax from the video services it's behind, as from its own branded offerings. Regardless of how you might use the service, its owner Sky is pulling the plug on June 21st. Impact to pay-per-view customers should mean nothing more than looking elsewhere, but those who bought titles outright will need to download them before the cutoff (there are a bunch of caveats though). The same goes for account credit -- either use it, or face the hassle of claiming it back after the fact. There's an FAQ on the website outlining the best course of action depending on your situation, so we'd suggest you head there first before working your way through your rental library.
Vimeo On Demand launches, aims to make it easy for creators to sell content to viewers
There's no doubt Vimeo's constantly working on various enhancements with the outlook of making it a better place for content makers and viewers alike. Today, following a relatively brief beta phase, the video-focused company's officially launching its pay-to-view service dubbed Vimeo On Demand. Essentially, this will allow Vimeo Pro members to sell their video productions directly to the public, eliminating the need for a middleman of sorts (even though technically Vimeo would be acting as such), as well as allowing them to name their own price and select preferred distribution countries. What's more, Vimeo says that creators are set to keep 90 percent of the earnings "after transaction costs," which, naturally, includes content sold throughout its many applications on different platforms -- including, but not limited to, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Xbox Live and Apple TV. According to Vice President of Creative Development, Blake Whitman, there's a lot more where the adequately named Vimeo On Demand came from, as the team's "already working on another suite of creator-focused features to release in the near future."
TiVo Premiere now loaded with Flingo LaunchPad, nets more than 70 video apps
If that TiVo Premiere of yours still doesn't have enough content sitting in its memory to satisfy your appetite, you're in luck, as Flingo's LauchPad on-demand video platform has just been baked into the hardware. Now, channel surfers can stream content from more than 70 video apps from the likes of A&E, CollegeHumor, Crunchyroll, History, Showtime and others. LaunchPad for TiVo will also feature exclusive content, but details regarding just what it might be are scarce. In addition to the bevy of streaming options, users can even "fling" online videos from other devices to their television screen with the aid of a bookmarklet. Ashwin Navin, Flingo co-founder and CEO, tells Venture Beat that he'd like to implement the firm's SyncApps second screen tech into TiVo's box, but that won't be coming in the near future. [Image credit: Zatz Not Funny]
Time Warner Cable adds on-demand content to its TWC TV website
It's been nearly two months since Time Warner said it'd start streaming on-demand content on its TWC TV website, but the giant cable provider announced today that customers can now (finally) start enjoying the à la carte service on their desktop or laptop. Similar to its offering on iOS, Time Warner Cable subscribers will have access to more than 4,000 TV shows and movies from various networks and studios, which, according to the company, also includes "certain" subscription-based programming by the likes of Showtime and HBO. Just like the rest of Time Warner's web TV service, the recently announced on-demand content is also compatible with both Mac and PC (sorry, Linux), and, naturally, that includes support for some versions of all major browsers -- including Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari and Chrome.
Time Warner Cable's iOS app updated with on-demand video
Time Warner Cable subscribers now have access to on-demand programming on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch thanks to a major update to the company's official iOS app. Now available on the App Store, version 3.0 of TWC TV also supports the iPhone 5's full display and is said to be faster and more stable than previous releases. Its live TV guide feature now includes a list of recently viewed channels, as well. Streaming video is the big addition though, and includes about 4,000 titles from TWC's full on-demand lineup in addition to programming archives from premium channels for those who subscribe to them. Not all content is in HD, but TWC says it is working to transition more of its SD on-demand content to higher resolution in 2013. [Via The Verge]
Watch Indie films for free on your iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
SnagFilms is a free, universal iOS app that brings hundreds of independent films to your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. You search by category or title. SnagFilms offers a nice collection, and I even found a pair of documentaries about Apple. The app is ad-supported, so you'll see an ad before your movie begins and at least another during the presentation. I understand the need for advertisements, but SnagFilms presented the same ad repeatedly, which detracts from the experience. I use SnagFilms to watch Macheads and a documentary about the race to the moon on my iPad. The quality of audio and video was fine. The developers say they are adding new films all the time. %Gallery-170911% You can't save movies to a queue unless you provide your Facebook login, which I find an irritating trend in several apps I've used recently. I don't think having a Facebook login should be a requirement to fully use this app. Movies can be watched without a Facebook account or login. The app supports AirPlay. Although you can watch movies on a 3G connection, WiFi is recommended, and indeed when I tried it on a 3G network there were frequent pauses and once all I got was audio. Still, SnagFilms has a collection of films you may not find anywhere else, and if you can put up with the repetitive ads I think the app offers a lot for no expense. There should be films for every taste. SnagFilms requires iOS 4.3 or later. It has not been optimized for the iPhone 5.
Free movies on iOS with Sony's Crackle app
Crackle, from Sony, is a free universal iOS app that's built to stream plenty of free-to-view movies and TV shows. If you don't mind ads at the beginning and more in the middle of the programs and you're OK with the app's limited selection, it's worth a look. Not surprisingly, a lot of the movies are from the Columbia Pictures catalog, since Sony owns those titles. There's a smattering of good movies (The Gods Must Be Crazy and It Might Get Loud, for instance) and then there are a slew of Godzilla movies and martial arts movies that may or may not strike your fancy. The catalog includes old Three Stooges shorts, and TV shows like Seinfeld. Movies expire off the app's catalog, so the selection will change over time. There are some nice features: closed captioning and AirPlay are both supported, and when you leave the app and come back your movie will resume playing where you left off. It worked well over 3G, and the films are licensed for Canada and the U.K as well as the US. Quality of the prints was good, as it should be from an app provided by a movie studio. It's not the most stable app I've used. I had 2 crashes in one test. Then I tried it later in the day and it worked fine. The app has not been updated to take advantage of the increased screen real estate on the iPhone 5. I would classify Crackle as "airportware," an app to pass the time while you're waiting for a flight. If you're not a Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime subscriber, Crackle is a good free alternative; depending on your TV provider, you may also already have a free subscription to the EPIX app, which offers a much wider selection of recent and classic films. Crackle requires iOS 4.2 or greater. A recent update fixed some bugs (but apparently not all of them) and redesigned the GUI. %Gallery-168317%
Fox Broadcast app now available to Xbox Live customers with Dish and FiOS subscriptions
Xbox Live frontman Larry Hryb (aka Major Nelson) took to his blog on Tuesday to announce that Dish and Verizon FiOS customers can now download the Fox Broadcast app for Xbox 360 to stream next-day Fox programming. In order to use this free app, you'll need a paid Xbox Live Gold subscription. In addition to keeping you up to date with recent episodes of Fringe and Family Guy, this new app also includes access to legacy series such as House and 24. Like most things Xbox, the Fox Broadcasting app features Kinect integration, because everything is "better with Kinect," right?
BT to offer free YouView box with one-year broadband contract, £49 for existing customers
If you're not quite comfortable shelling out £299 for BT's YouView box, then you're in luck. Starting October 26th, the hardware will be free for new Infinity broadband subscribers who ink contracts that are one year or longer. Instead of relying on cable, the Humax-built device uses both aerial and internet connections to deliver content from more than 100 digital TV and radio channels including Channels 4 and 5, the BBC and ITV. With the IPTV box, users can sift through content that's aired in the past seven days, watch on-demand programs and record up to 300 hours of standard definition television or 125 hours of high-def video to a built-in 500GB hard drive. Current British Telecom subscribers pining for the subsidized box will be able to get their own for a £49 activation fee and a £6.95 delivery charge. Those eager for the gratis set-top solution will be able to order it online starting October 19th if they register interest with BT's website beforehand. For more details, check out the press release below.
SiriusXM for Android update brings On Demand and offline listening
If you're an Android-toting SiriusXM fan, you've probably spent the last month wondering when your smartphone would get the newfound flexibility to tune in beyond live radio. As of Sirius XM's version 2.2 update, Android is back on equal footing. The upgrade supplies On Demand streaming, both for catch-up and the occasional classic, as well as downloadable copies to keep the music and talk flowing offline. As before, the access is considered a free perk of a SiriusXM subscription; if you enjoy Howard Stern's cynicism enough to want it at odd hours of the day, your angsty fix awaits at the source.
Motorola Mobility launches Android-powered HMC3260 'Cloud Broadband' media streamer
Motorola will be supplying China's WASU Digital Group, a cable and broadband provider, with the HMC3260 Android entertainment device for cloud-based, broadband internet streaming. Dubbed "Cloud Broadband" by the operator, the device will provide the primary connection for "hybrid fiber coax networks," while also offering an 18.5-inch touchscreen interface, based on an unnamed flavor of Android. WASU claims the device will allow "easy access and search" for on-demand HD video services, storage, games and apps, on top of regular cable TV services. There's no mention of internal storage or any other specs or service details, but adding an Android-based touchscreen to a broadband connection device? Sounds like a promising idea.
Verizon sends invitations to closed trial of FiOS TV app for iOS with live streaming
Want to know the definition of frustration? Try being teased with a FiOS TV app that supports live streaming, only to be denied when the app shows up. The end to that (admittedly mild) form of torture may be in sight. Engadget has learned through a tip that Verizon is sending invitations among a limited group to test a new FiOS TV iOS app with the usual schedule browsing, DVR control... oh, and live TV. Flex View On Demand videos and local media should be on tap as well, although it's not clear whether or not any of the options will require an active link to Verizon's fiber or cellular networks to watch. The trial leaves some time to go before we're tuning in through a bedside iPhone 5; even so, it suggests the gap between hope and reality is about to close. [Thanks, Anonymous]
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.
BBC not bringing iPlayer or live streaming to Windows Phone, blames Microsoft
Microsoft is getting brickbats from developers unenthused by its forthcoming operating system(s), and the BBC is the latest to join the chorus. When asked about bringing iPlayer to Windows Phone, the corporation's on-demand honcho, Daniel Danker, responded by saying it's not cost-or-time effective for the system -- thanks to a lack of support for HTTP Live Streaming. Mr. Danker confirmed to us that HLS is not the proprietary format it's believed to be, used on a wide variety of devices including Smart TVs and consoles -- but is not included in Redmond's mobile OS. Live streaming is also impossible thanks to a "bug" in the software that can't secure the session, breaking the corporation's copy protection system which only affects mobile devices. Redmond's known of the problem for some time, and is working on a solution, but has yet to make any official announcement otherwise. He told us that he's optimistic that a solution might arrive, perhaps on October 26th, but until then, the corporation won't even look at developing an app for any Windows-powered handset. After the break we've included the full text of the original email if you'd like to hear it from the source.
Youview TV platform and set-top box coming to UK stores this month (update: priced at £299)
The BBC's iPlayer has become too successful. It either needs to calm down or be put on a more level playing field with on demand services from the other big UK broadcasters -- and it's going to be the latter. Youview -- which has nothing whatsoever in common with YouTube except its name and the fact that it also does video -- is a PVR set-top box that uses both an aerial and a web connection to allow catch-up viewing, and we've just heard it'll arrive in UK stores towards the end of this month. It'll bring together programs from the BBC (which also contributed £10 million of license fee cash), ITV, Channel 4, Five, and Sky, using infrastructure from BT, TalkTalk and Arqiva, and it'll target millions of British viewers who want a "seamless" mix of live and archived telly without being tied to a subscription -- and who don't yet depend on a Smart TV, games console or other converged device. Update: Youview front man Lord Alan Sugar told us that the box is Humax-built and will cost £299. He also added that there'll be adverts within commercial programs, but not plastered over the EPG or interface itself.
