German social TV service Couchfunk will enable its users in future not only to chat about the TV programmes on their smartphones, tablets and laptops, but also to directly watch live TV channels on their mobile devices.
For the new feature, the Couchfunk app which 1.2 million users have already downloaded will be expanded by OTT live-streaming. The additional feature for the app which runs on iOS, Android and Windows operating systems will be supplied by Swiss service provider Swisscom Broadcast.
“Users expect a coherent offering and easy access to a broad variety of content – anytime and anywhere. A personal, interactive TV experience is in demand,” said Oliver Anthamatten, head of strategic projects & and board member of Swisscom Broadcast.
The TV function will offer personalised recommendations of linear TV shows, on-demand programmes and online content. Swisscom Broadcast will provide the full chain of services from content right clearance, reception and processing of the TV signals to internet streaming.
“We currently record around 200,000 mobile app users per month. With the integration of live-TV, we expect strongly growing usage figures,” said Frank Barth, co-founder of Couchfunk.
With Swisscom TV Air, Swisscom already operates one of Switzerland’s largest online TV platforms.
