Press release from ABC TV
ABC TV's catch up television service, ABC iView has taken the next step, moving off the computer screen and onto an internet-connected television service for the first time – going live on BRAVIA Internet Video, Sony's IPTV service.
ABC iView's debut on BRAVIA Internet Video comes at a time of great growth for the catch up service. June was a record month, in which iView recorded 2.235 million visits – its highest number of monthly visits ever. 581,000 visitors came to the service, 55 per cent of whom visited once and 45 per cent visited more than once.
Throughout the month, more than 250 programs were offered via iView – the most popular being Doctor Who, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Grand Designs Revisited, The Colbert Report, QI and Voyage to the Planets.
ABC TV's Head of Multiplatform, Arul Baskaran, says the launch marks an exciting moment for ABC TV. “iView's move to Sony's IPTV service sees the merging of two great entertainment platforms – with lots of benefits. As more and more people are choosing iView as a way to enjoy ABC TV's great content, we want to make accessing the service as easy as possible – which is what this joint project with Sony delivers."
"Sony focuses on providing the widest range of IPTV channels and video content. The launch of ABC iView on BRAVIA Internet Video strengthens the Sony offering further with a wealth of compelling catch – up TV programs," said Paul Colley, Technology Communications Manager, Sony Australia. "We are anticipating iView will be one of our most popular BRAVIA Internet Video channels."
ABC iView is accessed on Sony's IPTV-enabled devices through the XrossMediaBar on the TV. These devices include BRAVIA TVs as well as Sony Blu-ray players and home theatre systems. The service will be metered.
The joint project between Sony and ABC TV was first announced in April. iView is also available through the PlayStation3 service.