You’re Finally Going To Be Able To Stream Free-To-Air TV On Your Mobile Using A Single App
Better late than never I guess.
The country’s five major television networks are combining their powers to launch a single, live-streaming mobile app by the end of the year, in a last-ditch effort to remind the people of Australia that free-to-air TV is still a thing. Seven, Nine, Ten, the ABC and the SBS are set to join forces on the new Freeview FV app, which will allow users to stream “more than 15 free-to-air channels” directly to their mobile devices.
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“Australians’ TV viewing habits have changed dramatically,” read a press release about the announcement. “The launch of Freeview FV in November is an exciting step forward for Australian FTA TV as the industry continues to evolve and retain its position as a global leader in innovation.”
Not so sure about this whole “global leader in innovation” business, although the fact that you’ll soon be able to burn through a dozen episodes of Neighbours on your phone does seem like a bit of a game-changer.
In addition to letting users live-stream free-to-air TV, the app will also feature catch-up content from all five networks. It is not yet clear exactly which digital channels will be available on Freeview FV.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, NRL games will become available via the app in 2018 once Nine’s new broadcast deal comes into effect. AFL fans, on the other hand, will be left waiting until 2022, with Telstra having secured the exclusive streaming rights until that time.
Presumably the free-to-air stations are hoping that the new app can help them recapture a share of the market they have lost to streaming services such as Netflix and Stan and Presto. Wait, sorry, not Presto. RIP Presto.
Free-to-air television is by no means dead, but it is competing in a much more crowded environment than it once did. Around 5 million Australians currently use Netflix, while Stan is on the cusp of cracking seven figures as well. Whether Freeview FV can shake things up remains to be seen.