It was reported in October that Australia’s free-to-air networks were working together to develop an app that would let users stream the majority of channels available by December.
The ‘Freeview FV’ app for Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android platform is now available for you to download.
According to their page on the App Store, the app features the following features.
- Live streaming from all the free-to-air networks
- Access to all catch-up TV
- Browse and search all free-to-air programs
- A free-to-air TV guide
- Favourites and reminders functions
- Recommendations
In addition, the following channels are currently available to stream for free from the app.
- ABC
- ABC2/Kids
- ABC Me
- ABC News 24
- SBS
- Seven
- Channel 9
- TEN
- ONE
- 7Two
- 7Mate
- 7flix
- Racing.com
- 9Gem
- 9Go!
- 9Life
Users should note that the app has the potential to use significant amounts of data the longer content is streamed, so make sure your data cap is large enough to accomodate.
What about sport?
As reported earlier, the app puts Freeview in direct conflict with several sporting codes, including the AFL and Cricket Australia, which hold a tight grip on their digital streaming rights or have sold them to telcos.
NRL games will be available for free on mobile phones through the Freeview app from 2018, because Nine acquired digital streaming rights last year.
AFL fans will have to pay for Telstra's live mobile app because the telco has tied up digital streaming rights until 2022.
Cricket Australia holds the digital rights for both Big Bash League and international matches, but Ten and Nine have television broadcast rights.