UK terrestrials to simulcast nets on TVPlayer

TVPlayer

The UK’s three commercial terrestrial channels have struck licensing deals with online TV service TVPlayer to simulcast live-feeds over the web.

ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 will begin streaming channels on a full range of connected devices for the first time following the deals.

ITV, ITV 2, ITV 3, ITV 4, ITV Be, CITV, Channel 4, More4, 4Seven, Channel 5, 5STAR and Spike will begin streaming soon, with Channel 4’s E4 and Film4 launching at a later date. This brings TVPlayer’s overall channel bouquet to more than 100 networks.

Some programming will be restricted due to rights issues, though TVPlayer did not specify what would be affected.

The move is significant as ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 have previously taken live TV streaming services to court to block transmission of their networks. In 2013, they won a case that ruled TVCatchup had infrienged their copyright, though a further legal battle went to the European Court of Justice.

A spokesperson for ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 said: “We welcome legal innovation in the channel distribution landscape and are pleased to licence our linear channels for streaming on TVPlayer.”

“This is a significant move for the growth of our platform,” said Adam Smith, TVPlayer’s founder. “Adding the UK’s key commercial broadcasters to our growing portfolio is a major benefit to our viewers as TVPlayer provides some of the UK’s best channels in one app.”

Networks from Viacom, Discovery Communications and S4C are already offered on the platform, which launched a paid-for premium service last year.

Tech firm Simplestream owns the TVPlayer app and launched it early in 2014.