Category: Connected TV and Online Streaming

This category includes online based streaming services such as TV Player and Pluto TV, along with connected TV platforms such as BT TV and TalkTalk TV, which combine terrestrial channel line ups with additional channels delivered via broadband.

Further Cuts to TV Player Streaming Service

Yet more channels have been removed from the TV Player online streaming service. The following channels have been removed entirely:

  • BET
  • Clubland
  • Total Country
  • NOW80s
  • BBC Red Button, BBC Parliament, and BBC Alba
  • Showcase
  • Fashion TV
  • S4C
  • Together
  • France24
  • NHK
  • Euronews
  • TRT World
  • Al Jazeera English
  • Russia Today (RT)

Additionally, premium channel Baby TV has also been removed. The changes have taken place in the past week.

Some of the affected channels can be streamed on their own websites.

Note: Going forward, TelevisionSRS will regard TV Player as a minor/insignificant broadcaster/platform. As such, future news posts will be limited, and TV Player will not be included within the resources section.

Half of UK Homes Subscribe to Streaming Services

According to Ofcom’s Media Nations 2019 report, around half of all UK homes now subscribe to at least one online TV streaming platform. In 2018, there was a total of 19.1 million subscriptions, with many households subscribing to more than one services.

The UKs public services broadcasters (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and S4C) showed over 100 times more original, homegrown shows than the overseas streaming platforms.

Traditional viewing still accounts for around 69% of total TV viewing time, although this continues to drop. Despite the drop, public services broadcasters share remained steady at 52%.

Retro Movies Joins Freesat and Channelbox

Retro Movies has now joined Freesat, and can now be found on channel 307. The channel shows movies from the early to mid 20th century, and was previously on available on Sky channel 327.

Retro Movies is now also available on Freeview streamed channel Channelbox, which can be found on channel 271. Viewers will need a compatible device connected to the internet in order to access Retro Movies through Channelbox.

Retro Movies is not currently available on Virgin Media (cable).

Freeview Adds Live Streaming to Android App

Freeview, the operator of the terrestrial television network in the UK, have update their Android app. Among other features, users can now stream live shows from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 and on demand content from BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, My5, and UKTV Play.

The updates follow on from the release of a similar app for Apple devices earlier this year. Data from the iOS app revealed that many users stream BBC Breakfast or ITVs Good Morning Britain whilst on their way to work. Sports programmes were also popular.

The Android version of the app is compatible with Android 4.4 KitKat or above, and requires wifi or a mobile data connection. The app can be downloaded for free from the Google Play store. Other features include a 15 day guide for all Freeview channels.

Eleven Sports – Is It Coming or Going?

Following on from the report that Eleven Sports had handed back its Ofcom licenses, they have reappeared on Ofcom’s list of cable and satellite license holders. There a three services listed; Eleven Sports 1 UK, Eleven Sports 2 UK, and Eleven Extra Bel (presumably the latter is a Belgium service).

This suggests that they are still planning on launching a ‘conventional’ channel in the UK, but could also be an error on Ofcom’s list. The full list of satellite and cable license holders can be view on Ofcom’s website.

Eleven Sports continues to operate in the UK online.

Eleven Sports Hands Back Ofcom Licenses

Due to the UK leaving the European Union (EU), Eleven Sports has now licensed its continental channels elsewhere, as UK broadcast licenses can no longer extend to other parts of the EU when the UK leaves.

Eleven Sports has been unable to obtain any carriage agreements on satellite or cable in the UK, they no longer require their Ofcom licenses, so have handed them back to the regulator.

Eleven Sports remains available online in the UK at www.elevensports.uk.

BBC Submits Plans to Revamp iPlayer

The BBC has submitted to Ofcom plans to revamp their BBC iPlayer service. The proposals include making more box sets available, and making programmes available for up to 12 months instead of the existing 30 days. More archive material is also to be included on the iPlayer.

The BBC has already conducted a Public Interest Test, which has indicated general support for the proposals. Ofcom will now assess the impact on commercial providers which offer competing services, in order to ensure that rival services such as ITV Hub can compete on a level playing field. This process is expected to be complete by August.

New LaLiga PPV Offering from Eleven Sports

Sports provider Eleven Sports has unveiled a global partnership with Onefootball, a a digital football platform.

The new venture has launched an in-app pay-per-view (PPV) streaming service, to allow football fans to watch LaLiga matches for £2.99 (UK)/€3.49 (Ireland) per view via the Onefootball app.

Plans are being made to roll out the service for Serie C matches in Italy, before the model also rolls out to other Eleven Sports markets from the 2019/2020 season.