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 ITV Player homepage |
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| Developer(s) | ITV plc |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 13 December 2008 |
| Operating system | Windows, Macintosh, Linux |
| Platform | Online, cable, IPTV, PlayStation 3, mobile |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Video on demand |
| Website | www.itv.com/itvplayer |
ITV Player is an online video on demand service accessible though the main ITV website itv.com. The service offers a variety of programmes from homegrown programming to imports across ITV, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4 and CITV. Some sports programming is available to watch again via the service, the 2010 FIFA World Cup and highlights being examples. Some programmes, imports and movies are not currently available due to rights issues, and until the latest version, most children's programming in particular was generally unavailable. Programmes are available for 30 days on the site after being first shown on ITV. The service was originally called ITV Catch Up but was then rebranded 'ITV Player' on 5 December 2008 as part of ITV’s aim to create a recognisable and consistent brand for video-on-demand content across the web and TV.[1] ITV Player is also branded as ITV Net Player and referred to as the ITV Network Player in branding and communication around programming intended for consumption across the UK, such as on Virgin Media.[1]
As of February 2013[update], the service has over 1 million registered users.[2]
Contents |
Web platforms [edit]
The service started out as a website before being extended to television and other platforms. Initially the website version used Microsoft Silverlight as opposed to Adobe Flash (used by BBC iPlayer and Channel 4's 4oD) and Windows Media Video. ITV adopted Flash for its player on 15 September 2009.[3] In November 2009 the website was revamped again improving navigation as well as making the site more visually appealing. The service is free to use funded by pre, mid and post roll adverts. Previously users have been able to use ad-blocking software to skip the adverts shown. During Summer 2010, the ITV website was upgraded to detect ad-blocking software. Video is sent at multiple bit rates and uses adaptive technology in the player to best determine rate based on users connection.
Improvements were made in June/July 2011 to the website version to incorporate subtitles and CITV programming. The website version relaunched with a cleaner, less cluttered new look on Monday 22 August 2011. The new look seamlessly fits in with the redesigned itv.com and has upgraded search features, images and a new Flash video player designed to make playback more reliable. In January 2012, the site was due to be overhauled to offer paid-for content in addition to the existing free 30 day catch up,[4] however this was delayed until 29 October 2012.[5]
Television platforms [edit]
BT Vision [edit]
In December 2008, ITV Player was added to BT Vision's TV Replay service, the deal was ITV's first with a set-top-box VOD operator.[6] It allows access to popular ITV, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 shows up to 8 days after their transmission as well as a selection of archive shows.[7]
Freesat [edit]
A place for a full version of ITV Player has been reserved on Freesat channel 903.[8] A beta release was made available in December 2010 for Humax receivers, requiring the input of a code.[9] The beta was made public on 26 July 2011, with support expected to be extended beyond Humax devices.[10][11] On 31 July 2012, an update was released for Manhattan receivers which included support for ITV Player.[12] In November 2012, both EchoStar and Samsung receivers also received ITV Player support.[13][14]
Sky [edit]
On 30 January 2012, it was announced that ITV Player would be added to Sky's On Demand service on 31 January 2012.[15] The service is accessible through the main On Demand menu as well as a dedicated ITV Player section. ITV Player initially only offered archive content, with catch-up programming becoming available on 26 September 2012.
Televisions and Blu-ray players [edit]
On 6 July 2012, it was announced that ITV Player had been made available on Samsung's Smart TVs and Blu-ray players through their Samsung Smart TV service, for 2011 and later devices.[16]
Virgin Media [edit]
On 8 January 2009, it was announced that ITV Net Player would be added to Virgin Media's digital cable TV service.[17] The deal allows Virgin Media’s 3.5 million TV customers to view over 40 hours of programming from ITV, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 each week. Popular shows such as Coronation Street and Emmerdale are all available for seven days after being broadcast as part of Virgin Media's free Catch up TV service. The service began a three day deployment programme on 24 February 2009. Virgin Media’s viewers were able to choose from 500 hours of ITV comedies, documentaries and dramas, on demand through the TV Choice section, however the contract to supply archive content ended on 23 February 2013.[18]
YouView [edit]
ITV Player was one of four service available at the launch of YouView in July 2012. At launch the ITV Player app contained options to resume watching recent programmes and browse by channel, day and A-to-Z, but lacked integrated search and contained non-skippable adverts.[19] During 2013, ITV intend to introduce paid-for content content into ITV Player on YouView.[2]
Games consoles [edit]
PlayStation 3 [edit]
ITV Player was released on 14 December 2010 on PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Network.[20] ITV Player on PS3 is free and ad-funded with pre-, mid- and post- roll video ads being sold and served by ITV. Under the terms of the deal with Sony, STV, UTV and Channel Television will be able to add their own equivalent services so they are also accessible from the PS3 platform on a similar basis to ITV Player.
Xbox 360 [edit]
ITV Player is not currently available for the Xbox 360 platform.
Mobile platforms [edit]
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On 11 May 2011, ITV chief executive Adam Crozier announced that a dedicated ITV Player application would be released on a "wide range of mobiles and tablets" during 2011.[21] The app features programming from ITV, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 for up to seven days after broadcast. However content is only available to view in the UK and ITV programming is blocked in the STV and UTV regions. A Wi-Fi connection is also required. The mobile apps were developed by digital agency Candyspace.[22] During 2013, ITV intend to introduce paid-for content content into ITV Player across all mobile platforms.[2]
Android devices [edit]
An application for devices running Google's Android operating system was released on 20 June 2011.[23] The app requires Android 2.2 (Froyo) or higher and Adobe AIR. Each show is broken up to feature non-skippable advert breaks. Users are forced to register an email address to use the app in order to allow ITV to “keep you informed about improvements and other exciting developments at ITV.”[24] On 14 January 2013, ITV Player 2.0 was released adding support for Android 3.x Gingerbread to 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and a re-engineered user interface.[25]
Due to Adobe not updating support for Android, Flash is not readily available for Android 4.1 Jelly Bean so the existing ITV Player cannot be used. A new app was trialled but was only available on Samsung products and received poor reviews on Google Play Store. Upon the release of the app on 9 May 2013, Samsung entered into an exclusivity agreement with ITV, with the ITV Player app available exclusively on Samsung devices until 31 August. ITV's online product director, James Micklethwait, cited "fragmentation of the Android ecosystem" as the motive behind the deal.[26]
iOS devices [edit]
An application for Apple's iOS (iOS 4.3 or later) operating system and either the iPad (1st generation or later), iPhone (3GS or later) and iPod Touch (3rd generation or later), was launched on 1 July 2011.[27][28]
Syndication [edit]
ITV does not syndicate its content to other providers such as YouTube and SeeSaw like Channel 4 or Channel 5. Although some ITV programmes can be seen on such services, this is where these services have negotiated rights with the production companies involved and not ITV. The beta launch of the Virgin Media Player saw ITV programmes become available but Virgin Media have licensed ITV's archive (a separate service also available on ITV.com under the TV shows section) which is not currently part of the ITV Player.
References [edit]
- ^ a b "ITV's Catch Up rebranded ITV Player". Media Week. 2008-12-05.
- ^ a b c "ITV Player pay-per-view downloads coming to YouView and mobiles". Recombu. 27 February 2013.
- ^ "British TV firm dumps Silverlight". The Register. 2009-09-15.
- ^ "ITV to launch TV micropayment system in January". The Guardian. 2011-07-27.
- ^ "ITV unveils new ITV Player". ITV Press Centre. 2012-10-29.[dead link]
- ^ "ITV signs catch-up deal for BT Vision". ITV plc. 2008-11-17.
- ^ "BT Vision to offer ITV catch-up service, box gets firmware update to help it cope". Home Cinema Choice. 2008-11-19.[dead link]
- ^ "Freesat Assign BBC iPlayer and ITV Player Channel Slots". Join Freesat. 2010-12-16.
- ^ "ITV Player Beta Code Released". Join Freesat. 2011-01-03.
- ^ "Freesat Launches ITV Player (channel 903)". Join Freesat. 2011-07-26.
- ^ "On Demand on HD boxes and TVs". Freesat. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
- ^ "Manhattan Plaza HD-S v1.45 Update Available". Join Freesat. 2012-07-31.
- ^ "ITV Player now on Echostar receiver". Join Freesat. 2012-11-14.
- ^ "ITV Player now on Samsung receiver". Join Freesat. 2012-11-14.
- ^ "Sky Anytime+ goes from strength to strength with more content and increased reach". BSkyB Corporate. 30 January 2012.
- ^ "ITV Player on Samsung Smart TVs". Advanced Television. 6 July 2012.
- ^ "Thousands of hours of ITV shows to be made available on demand by Virgin Media". Virgin Media. 2009-01-08.
- ^ "Re: itv On Demand gone ?". Virgin Media. 11 March 2013.
- ^ "Humax YouView DTR-T1000 review". Expert Reviews. 24 July 2012.
- ^ "ITV Player to launch on PlayStation 3". ITV plc. 2010-08-18.[dead link]
- ^ "ITV plc Interim Management Statement". ITV plc. 2011-05-11.
- ^ "ITV brings TV catch-up player to iPad and iPhone". New Media Age. 2011-07-01.
- ^ "ITV Player catch-up service now available on Android". Eurodroid. 2011-06-20.
- ^ "ITV Player Launches Android App". Trusted Reviews. 2011-06-22.
- ^ "ITV Player for Android Gets New UI and Support for Android 2.3+ Devices". Softpedia. 2013-01-14.
- ^ "Samsung lands exclusivity deal for new ITV Player app". Digital Spy. 2013-05-09.
- ^ "ITV Player launches on Apple's iPhone, iPad". Digital Spy. 2011-07-01.
- ^ "ITV Player By ITV". Apple.com. Retrieved 2011-08-24.
See also [edit]
External links [edit]
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