Australia’s free-to-air TV channels have finally launched their long threatened Freeview FV app for watching broadcast TV on mobile phones or tablets.
The move is the free-to-air industry’s reply to the stunning growth of paid video streaming services such as Netflix, Stan and Presto.
The service, which is available for both Android and Apple devices, includes live-streaming from 16 TV channels as well as catch-up content.
The 16 comprise ABC, SBS, Seven, Channel 9 and Ten, along with 11 secondary channels. Freeview chief Liz Ross said more live channels would be added as they become available.
However sport streaming will be available only through the Freeview FV app if the network has digital streaming rights for particular events.
One concern for avid TV fans: a 30-minute program can consume about 200MB of data, a one-hour show 400MB. Rattle up half a dozen programs a day and you may be way over your quota.
The free Freeview FV mobile app can be downloaded through Apple’s App Store or Google Play.
