ITV Player homepage |
|
| Developer(s) | ITV plc |
| Initial release | 13 December 2008 |
| Operating system | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Platform | Online, Cable, IPTV, PlayStation 3, Mobile |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Television catch-up |
| Website | itv.com/itvplayer |
ITV Player is an online video on demand service accessible though the main ITV website. The service offers a variety of programmes from homegrown programming to imports across ITV1, 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 most children's programming in particular is 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]
Contents |
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 Flash (used by BBC iPlayer and Channel 4's 30 day catch-up service) and Windows Media Video. ITV adopted Adobe Flash for its player on 15 September 2009.[2] 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 will be overhauled to offer paid-for content in addition to the existing free 30 day catch up.[3]
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.[4] It allows access to popular ITV1, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 shows up to 8 days after their transmission as well as a selection of archive shows.[5]
A full version of ITV Player will become available to Freesat viewers in 2011 on channel 903, which currently displays "Arriving soon in 2011."[6] A beta release was made available in December 2010 for Humax receivers, requiring the input of a code.[7] The beta was made public on 26 July 2011, with support expected to be extended beyond Humax devices over the coming months.[8][9]
On 8 January 2009, it was announced that ITV Net Player would be added to Virgin Media's digital cable TV service.[10] The deal allows Virgin Media’s 3.5 million TV customers to view over 40 hours of programming from ITV1, 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. Virgin Media’s viewers are able to choose from 500 hours of award-winning ITV comedies, documentaries and dramas, on demand through the TV Choice section. The service began a three day deployment programme on 24 February 2009.
ITV Player was released on 14 December 2010 on PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Network.[11] 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.
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.[12] The app features programming from ITV1, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 for up to seven days after broadcast. However content is only available to view in the UK and ITV1 programming is blocked outside of its licensed areas (England, Wales and the Scottish Borders). A Wi-Fi connection is also required. The mobile apps were developed by digital agency Candyspace.[13]
An application for devices running Google's Android operating system was released on 20 June 2011.[14] 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.”[15] ITV is also planning on releasing an app that's optimised for Android 3.x (Honeycomb) tablets.[16]
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.[17][18]
ITV do not syndicate its content to other providers such as YouTube and SeeSaw like Channel 4 or Channel 5. Although some ITV programmes can been 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.