FREEVIEW ON DEMAND app launches on Sony Android TVs

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freitasm

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#273136 6-Aug-2020 13:34

Just received:

Freeview On Demand is now available as an app on all Sony BRAVIA Android TV’s, making it even easier for Sony users to enjoy a wide range of premium on-demand content, for free.

Freeview’s standard On Demand service has been built into all Smart TVs since 2016 and is accessible now in over 500,000 New Zealand homes. It brings together all the shows and movies from the best New Zealand streaming apps so viewers can easily and freely browse and enjoy content from a single catalogue of over 1,200 titles.

Unlike the existing standard Freeview On Demand platform, this latest app is accessed without an aerial or satellite dish.

In a collaboration with Sony and Dish TV, Freeview leveraged its existing HbbTV platform and Android TV platform to create the new app for Sony Android TVs. Freeview apps on other name brand TVs also adopted a similar approach, which builds an array of apps from a single back-end system. This streamlines the development and support for Freeview apps across devices, and more importantly, creates a consistent browsing and viewing experience across different brands and devices.

Freeview CEO Jason Foden believes ease of access is key: “We’re excited to introduce Freeview On Demand as an Android TV app on Sony TVs. This is an important extension of our Android TV platform and makes Freeview even more accessible to New Zealanders.

“While our standard On Demand service works well in most homes, a reliable aerial or satellite signal connection is not available to some viewers. We’ve created the Freeview On Demand Smart TV apps expressly for these viewers, because we believe all Kiwis should have easy access to great content.”

Viewers have welcomed the Freeview On Demand Smart TV apps, with over 50% of content playback originating from these apps.

Sony Android TV users can now download and install the Freeview On Demand app through Sony Select or from the Google Play Store.

Handsomedan

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#2535802 6-Aug-2020 14:26

I wish they'd just release a Freeview on Demand iOS and Android app to each respective app store.

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openmedia

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#2535832 6-Aug-2020 15:10

Can anyone with a Sony TV confirm the APK being used

I'm hoping they've removed the device restrictions from

- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.dishtv.ondemand

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xcubed

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#2535845 6-Aug-2020 15:43

@openmedia, yes, looks like that's the app. I just opened that link and was offered the ability to install it on my lounge TV.

Benoire

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#2535851 6-Aug-2020 15:47

Yep its the same that comes on the dish tv box... I suspect its only had Sony models added rather than fully open as its still not installable on my nVidia Shields, only my Sony x950g

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#2535856 6-Aug-2020 16:02

Right so this is only the on-demand app not the live tv bit... shame as having the live tv function would be good as well.

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#2535924 6-Aug-2020 18:35

I hope it's better than the LG TV app.
No mouse or keyboard functionality, just arrow keys on the remote on a non standard on screen keyboard. *smh*.

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#2537813 10-Aug-2020 12:01

Locking to specific devices should not be allowed. This is the single worst thing about Android TV. There should be a single minimum spec that all Android TVs have to meet in order to be certified as an "Android TV", and then all streaming apps (maybe not games or some utilities, but streaming apps for sure) should have to support that minimum spec with no device locking being possible. Otherwise as a consumer how am I to have any confidence that any Android TV device I purchase can (or will) support the apps I want to use or whether it will support any future ones. Android TV is a mess that I regret getting myself into and will never, ever consider again for exactly the situation here with Freeview locking their app to Sony TV's only.

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#2537881 10-Aug-2020 13:56

steve98:

Locking to specific devices should not be allowed. This is the single worst thing about Android TV. There should be a single minimum spec that all Android TVs have to meet in order to be certified as an "Android TV", and then all streaming apps (maybe not games or some utilities, but streaming apps for sure) should have to support that minimum spec with no device locking being possible. Otherwise as a consumer how am I to have any confidence that any Android TV device I purchase can (or will) support the apps I want to use or whether it will support any future ones. Android TV is a mess that I regret getting myself into and will never, ever consider again for exactly the situation here with Freeview locking their app to Sony TV's only.

This is also why I switched to Apple TV earlier this year and haven't looked back. Everything just works as it should and the majority of apps are supported and updated. Freeview should release an Apple TV app which would benefit consumers so much more instead of trying to get people to buy a new Sony TV.

Benoire

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#2538016 10-Aug-2020 16:35

The Freeview app is developed by DishTV and locked to Sony and their own device; I'd imagine that Sony have paid them money for access and they won't get that from Apple hence the lack of app... Even on Sony, there is no live TV function only the ondemand... Android is fragmented as a result of multiple manufacturers purchasing development rights or exclusive use deals... Samsung used to do this for their own TV sets as well... Apple do not allow this as effectively they are exclusive etc.

djtOtago

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#2538033 10-Aug-2020 17:42

steve98:

Locking to specific devices should not be allowed. This is the single worst thing about Android TV. There should be a single minimum spec that all Android TVs have to meet in order to be certified as an "Android TV", and then all streaming apps (maybe not games or some utilities, but streaming apps for sure) should have to support that minimum spec with no device locking being possible. Otherwise as a consumer how am I to have any confidence that any Android TV device I purchase can (or will) support the apps I want to use or whether it will support any future ones. Android TV is a mess that I regret getting myself into and will never, ever consider again for exactly the situation here with Freeview locking their app to Sony TV's only.

Maybe Sony TV are the only Android TV device that meet the minimum hardware requirements for Freeview TV.

steve98

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#2538146 10-Aug-2020 19:26

djtOtago:
steve98:

Locking to specific devices should not be allowed. This is the single worst thing about Android TV. There should be a single minimum spec that all Android TVs have to meet in order to be certified as an "Android TV", and then all streaming apps (maybe not games or some utilities, but streaming apps for sure) should have to support that minimum spec with no device locking being possible. Otherwise as a consumer how am I to have any confidence that any Android TV device I purchase can (or will) support the apps I want to use or whether it will support any future ones. Android TV is a mess that I regret getting myself into and will never, ever consider again for exactly the situation here with Freeview locking their app to Sony TV's only.

Maybe Sony TV are the only Android TV device that meet the minimum hardware requirements for Freeview TV.

You forgot to put /s