This is excellent news – expanding access for ABC’s excellent iview to the plethora of Android devices…

Today ABC TV unveils a bold new design for iview, to Android tablet and smartphone users first with the launch of the highly anticipated official ABC iview app for Android.

The first version of the Android app ensures Australian audiences never miss a moment of their favourite ABC TV programs, with access to iview on a wider range of portable devices.

“The Android app marks the beginning of an exciting new direction for iview and ABC TV online, with a beautifully redeveloped service set to showcase an outstanding slate of local programs in 2014, commissions exclusive to iview, and full series online for the ultimate binge TV viewing experience”, says, Richard Finlayson, Director of Television.

Australia’s most widely used TV catch-up service has been developing a visually rich new interface designed to increase discovery of ABC TV online through program recommendations and editor curation.

It enables browsing through the ABC’s trusted network brands, provides faster than ever access to last night’s TV, features an enhanced search function, the popular Watchlist feature, and from early 2014 will provide parents with the option to set iview to display only programs suitable for children.

Android tablet and smartphone users will be among the first to experience the new iview design which will be rolled out to the website and iOS app in early 2014, with other platforms to follow.

“ABC iview on Android has been the most requested service since the launch of ABC iview on iPad and iPhone, says Arul Baskaran, Controller TV Multiplatform.

“The demand is reflective of the explosive growth of the mobile internet. More than half of iview’s record 19 million monthly plays are now occurring on tablets and phones.”

Initially the Android app will be available on a selected range of devices supporting Android OS 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and above. ABC aims to extend official support for iview on a wider range of Android devices following initial user feedback and quality assurance testing on more devices, after the first release

The ABC iview experience remains simple, ad-free, free to use and from 2014 a platform for content innovation.

Next year will see the launch of two programs created especially for iview: Fresh Blood, a sketch comedy initiative which will uncover Australia’s brightest young talent, and Wastelander Panda, an epic story of loyalty and betrayal in an environment where no-one can survive alone.

Director of Television Richard Finlayson has also confirmed plans to premiere the entire run of a major new Australian series on iview, coinciding with the launch of the first episode on broadcast TV.

Download the free ABC iview Android app here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.net.abc.iview&hl=en

ABC iview
ABC iview continues to be the most popular catch-up service in Australia. In total, monthly iview plays have increased from an average of 10.3 million in 2012 (Mar-Dec) to an average of 15.4 million in 2013 (Jan – Aug), peaking at 19 million in October 2013.

ABC TV was the first to market with an online streaming catch-up service, with the July 2008 launch of ABC iview.

iview remains Australia’s most accessible catch-up service, available on fifteen connected platforms including computers, tablets, smart phones, internet-enabled TVs, gaming consoles and set top boxes among others. In 2013, The Time of Our Lives was the top non-children’s program with a total of 1.6 million plays (124,000 plays per episode).