Freeview FV
Switch Media are proudly delivering the world-first Freeview FV apps, enabling Australian TV live streaming and on demand on multiple platforms
The Client
Launched in 2008, Freeview Australia is the free digital television service in Australia which presents and promotes free-to-air channels and content to all Australians. Freeview encourages Australians to watch free-to-air content across various platforms by promoting benefits that include more than 25 channels and catch-up services for free. Freeview’s mission is to deliver the free-to-air content to all Australians where, when and on whatever device they choose.
Freeview Australia is a joint venture between all of the Australian FTA broadcasters, including Channels 7, 9, 10, ABC, and SBS. As Australians’ TV viewing habits have changed dramatically in the last 5 years, Freeview Australia and its associated network shareholders saw the need for a unified live streaming service to cater to the publics needs, aggregating streams from live TV channels in a single mobile app, a world first for FTA networks.
“Freeview Australia has partnered with Switch Media, a leader in the development of high quality technology solutions for the television industry. Switch Media provided a flexible and innovative approach to the integration of our FTA network’s live streams and catch up assets resulting in a seamless Freeview FV user experience.”
Liz Ross
CEO, Freeview Australia
The Challenge
Freeview committed to launching its world-first mobile app in November 2016. The new live streaming service ‘Freeview FV’ needed to enable Australian viewers to live stream 19 TV channels from all free-to-air networks on the go all from the one platform.
Offering a new TV experience to viewers across Australia, the free Freeview FV mobile app needed to give people more choice and convenience than ever before and provide a new way for them to enjoy TV while on the go, where ever they are.
Switch Media’s Role
With vast experience in delivering a range of video solutions for major clients including Foxtel, Network Ten, SBS, and Freeview New Zealand, Switch Media were well positioned to assist Freeview Australia with their requirements.
Switch Media’s role was to provide full platform support and delivery, including back-end services and front-end applications for the Freeview FV app on iPhone, iPad, and Android phone, with a multitude of additional platforms planned on the roadmap.
Central to the solution was Switch Media’s cloud based video content management system, the Switch Media Manager. Switch Media’s AppCMS framework was utilised to optimise delivery of apps for iOS, Android and other devices by reusing core modules and overlaying customised GUI.
Switch Media’s delivery included app development, user experience and interface design, the provision of flexible APIs with support for complex business rules, Electronic Program Guide using Gracenote data, 3rd party player integration and OzTAM VPM and Adobe analytics integration.
Project Outcomes & ROI
The world-first free-to-air TV live streaming and catch-up mobile app, Freeview FV, launched on November 7th 2016 on iOS iPhone, iPad, and Android phones. In early 2017 the FV app expanded to include Android tablet devices and Chromecast functionality.
In the first few months of launch Freeview FV gained over 250k downloads and 132.3k monthly active users on iOS and Android. Since launch the FV apps have surpassed 1 million+ downloads on the Apple and Google stores.
In 2018 and 2019, the Freeview FV app became available on Apple TV4 and 4K as well as on all major web browsers: freeview.com.au
Freeview FV for mobile was the only Australian company to win at the 2017 International Connie Awards, with the FV app taking out top honours, winning the International Grand Prix Award as well as winning in the Best TV/Video Service Update or Launch category. Freeview FV also won Gold at the international 2017 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards.
The app contains links to access catch-up content from all free-to-air networks including SBS On Demand, ABC iview, 7plus, 9Now, and 10play. Live-streaming channels include: ABC, SBS, Seven, Channel 9, 10, 10 Bold, 10 Peach, ABC KIDS/ABC Comedy, ABC ME, ABC News, Viceland, SBS Food, NITV, 7TWO, 7Mate, 7food, 7Flix, Racing.com, 9Gem, 9Go!, 9Life, and YourMoney with live channels being added with availability.
Project Summary
Freeview FV features include:
- Live-streaming from all Australian free-to-air networks
- Access to all Australian free-to-air network catch-up TV via deeplink
- Browse and search
- Free-to-air TV guide
- Recommendations
- Ability to save programs to the favourites list
- Ability to set custom reminders
“For the first time globally, an FTA industry has united to create and deliver a powerful consumer experience. Freeview FV will deliver fantastic choice and convenience in one place, it is simple and-easy to-use, and it will meet the needs of audiences wherever they may be.”
