The world-first FTA TV live streaming app Freeview FV has recorded 1 million downloads over the past 18 months.
Launch in 2016, the app has confirmed Freeview’s status as the premier Broadcast Video on Demand (BVOD) service in Australia.
Commenting on the latest landmark, Freeview CEO Liz Ross said that the number of downloads demonstrates the growth of BVOD in Australia, with over 432,000 Freeview users recorded in May across its streaming and catch-up programmes, or 25% more than in the same period in 2017. She added: “We are absolutely thrilled with the response we’ve had for Freeview FV. To see one million downloads is testament to the hard work of Australian broadcasters and our team in creating an app that delivers quality content and convenience to Australian viewers”.
Holding nine out of the top 15 ranked OTT apps and brands in Australia, FTA BVOD brands continue to rise in popularity, with seven million Australians now streaming more than two billion minutes of catch up and live streaming content each month, and Freeview alone seeing a growth of over 70% in app downloads since June last year.
Ross continued: “Our broadcasters are delivering content that uniquely caters to an Australian audience, and with more accessibility and convenience delivered through Freeview products including Chromecast and Apple TV, we’ve evidently seen users wholeheartedly continue to embrace Australian free-to-air.
“Australians want to watch whatever they want from wherever they are, and we’re continually working on new ways to deliver fantastic content right into their hands”.
Significantly, the t popularity of Chromecast, launched in May 2017, has exploded with nine-fold growth since its inception, and Apple TV users are up by over 300 % since February 2018.
