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Mon, 08 Jun 2009 Channel 4 opens entire online catch-up to all

Mac users driving 15 per cent of online 4oD viewing

Nick Spence

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Following the introduction of a Mac compatible 4oD Catch-Up service in April, Channel 4 is set to become the first UK broadcaster to make all its archived programming available on its Web site completely free of charge.

Previously Mac and Linux users have had limited access to archived programming, missing out on Channel 4's 25-year plus extensive archive. From July archived content will be added to the service including groundbreaking shows such as Queer As Folk, Trigger Happy TV and Drop The Dead Donkey.

Channel 4 will scrap the PC only desktop application needed to watch archived content when the service is opened up to all. The relaunched 4oD service on Channel4.com means Channel 4 is the only UK broadcaster to make all its archived content available to Mac, PC and Linux users on a free, streamed basis using Adobe Flash player.

"We are using an Adobe Flash player to deliver the content, meaning you’ll now be able to view our programmes on any platform so long as you’ve got Flash (version 9.0.124 or higher) installed, meaning Apple Mac and Linux OS users should now be able to join the party," Channel 4 said in a blog post back in April.

Since its re-launch on 1 April 2009, Channel 4 has seen a 111 per cent increase in viewing compared to the previous month, with shows such as The Inbetweeners, Hollyoaks and Come Dine With Me proving a hit with viewers.

Interestingly, Mac users are driving 15 per cent of the viewing says Channel 4.

"We were the first broadcaster to launch a comprehensive video-on-demand service in 2006 and since that time 4oD has become one of the UK’s most popular VOD brands," Jon Gisby, Director of Future Media & Technology at Channel 4.

"The addition of archived content to 4oD on channel4.com means we will be the only UK broadcaster to have all of our content available online. We are extremely proud of the new and improved service and think the combination of fantastic content that’s easy to find and view will prove a compelling service for all users."

You can read Macworld's review of the current 4oD Catch-Up here.

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Comments received


Dragonfly said on Mon, 08 Jun 2009

"We are using an Adobe Flash player to deliver the content"

Amazing how Flash player came from nowhere (video wise), a few years ago, to be the main choice for DRM video. It's a shame that Quicktime couldn't have evolved quicker in that area and that it took Adobe (Macromedia) to come up with an 'it just works' consumer-level video player, that doesn't demand different codecs to be installed.

Patrick M said on Mon, 08 Jun 2009

Not great for viewers in Ireland where the streaming service doesn't work. However the download 4OD service is fully licensed for Ireland.

Skanger said on Mon, 08 Jun 2009

@Patrick M - true, the download service is licensed for Ireland, but it doesn't work with Macs. The streaming service does work with Macs, but isn't licensed for Ireland. So, if you're a Mac user in Ireland it's a case of stooopid C4...

Flashing said on Mon, 08 Jun 2009

Flash eh? No good for iPhone then.

Alex said on Wed, 10 Jun 2009

I can't see it. I'm still prompted to download the Windows-only player to view anything archived. All I can view through flash is catch up programming.

Alex said on Wed, 10 Jun 2009

I can't see it. I'm still prompted to download the Windows-only player to view anything archived. All I can view through flash is catch up programming.

Alex said on Wed, 10 Jun 2009

Oh, from July! My bad!

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