Fetch TV will be adding free to air IP channels to its TV Guide which means customers without an antenna or poor reception can still enjoy one click access to free to air programmes.
The free to air IP channels can be viewed already on the Fetch platform through the various catch up apps for the commercial networks.
But to view the free to air live stream users had to locate the app, open it and scroll to find the live IP feed.
With this new update Fetch will separate that stream and make it available in the EPG (Electronic Programme Guide).
“Households with no or poor FTA reception represent a large and growing segment, and include homes in digital terrestrial black spots, multi-dwelling units with no FTA access, new estates where antennas are not permitted, homes with no or broken aerials, and even rooms where no aerial socket is present,” says Scott Lorson, CEO of Fetch TV.
“Australian families without FTA reception are looking for solutions.”
“Fetch recognises the importance of access to FTA channels and apps, with FTA viewing continuing to represent the majority of all TV viewing.
“We also know that the EPG remains at the centre of content discovery and channel navigation, and we are keen to extend this convenience to all customers.”
Fetch says the FTA IP feeds are not the same as the terrestrial feeds with some subject to sport and programming blackouts because they are considered part of the digital rights packages.
There also discrepancies when it comes to regional programming with the IP stream usually a state feed while terrestrial broadcasts are more localised
“We continue to advocate for the anti-siphoning legislation to include the FTA IP feeds or “digital twin”, given the critical role that FTA IP feeds will play in preserving access to FTA channels and sport into the future,” Lorson continues.
“We also welcome efforts to extend access to regional news and preserve logical channel numbering (1-99) for the FTA channels.”
Hubbl also already offers FTA access without an aerial and currently integrates all of the FTA’s (7, 9, 10, ABC, SBS) into its EPG.