Freeview mobile app launches on Android

Months after it appeared on Apple’s App Store, the Freeview mobile app is finally available for Android devices.

The app is advertised as letting you stream live TV shows on BBC, ITV and Channel 4, as well as accessing on-demand content from BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, My5, and UKTV Play. It’s free to download and use – provided you have a TV license.

However, if you thought you can replace all those individual apps now, you would be wrong. Essentially the app is more like the electronic programme guide on your TV than a streaming app.

It’ll show you the schedules for the free to air channels, and lets you not just see what is coming up, but also what is available on demand. Though if you do want to actually watch on your device, all the Freeview app does is kick you out to the broadcasters’ own apps like the BBC iPlayer and UKTV Play.

There’s a 15-day TV guide that helps you to plan for the week ahead, while scrolling back through the previous 7 days to find something to watch. Users will be able to filter the TV guide to show their favourite channels and even access hand-picked on-demand recommendations from 10 genres.

Freeview is also including a universal search feature, which allows you to find the content without having to browse each of the channels specifically. That can make it a better alternative than diving into the standalone iPlayer or ITV player applications.

The Freeview app boasts a searchable 15 day TV guide plus recommendations in categories such as ‘Comedy’, ‘Drama’ and ‘Kids’, so it should appeal to bored children and bored commuters alike.

Owen Jenkinson, Marketing Director, Freeview commented, “It has never been easier to become a Freeview viewer. To start watching content, all you need is a smartphone, an internet connection and away you go, all the content you love, wherever and whenever you want it.”

Full features include:

• What’s On – scroll through our visual guide showing you what’s on now and what’s coming up later.
• On Demand Recommendations – browse our handpicked content recommendations and find binge-worthy shows. Choose from a carousel of 10 genres, such as Comedy, Drama, Kids, as well as a topical category such as Glastonbury or Wimbledon.
• Search – the super-fast universal search function means you can easily find your favourite shows whether they’re live or on demand from all the supported players.
• Guide – plan both your live and on demand viewing with the app’s 15 day TV guide. Scroll through the schedule from the previous week as well as the week ahead to find something to watch. You can read more about each programme, and set reminders too.
• Favourites – filter the TV guide according to the channels you watch the most.

Freeview says the iOS version of the app has proved particularly popular with viewers who want to tune into BBC Breakfast and ITV’s Good Morning Britain on their way in to work. Sporting shows have also proved popular, with Wimbledon being the most streamed show in July and the FIFA Women’s World Cup a close second in June. Unsurprisingly, ITV’s Love Island has also proved popular with the nation this summer.