If British tax-dodging newspaper, The Guardian, is to be believed, we’re getting two new channels added to the PlayStation 3’s catch-up TV services. The liberal paper has spoken to several key players in the deals and is reporting it as an example of the convergence of new and old media.
It is unclear if this move is the addition of separate internet apps, similar to the incredibly successful iPlayer, or if it will simply be a case of fixing the service’s native websites to work with the PlayStation 3’s extremely fussy browser.
ITV has recently rejected deals with YouTube and US service, Hulu (who are working towards a UK launch, apparently) in favour of growing their streaming user base with the aid of Sony’s home console as well as various other strategies which could see the service being opened up to iPad users and those lucky enough to have internet enabled televisions.
4OD already streams some of its programming via YouTube and they are seemingly open to any potential outlets for their content but Sarah Rose (Director of Commercial Business Development) said that Microsoft had not been as proactive in their approach to securing UK television content as Sony had.
The Guardian goes to great lengths to point out that this is all possible thanks to the face of gaming becoming more acceptable to modern society. While that attitude may seem a little patronising on the surface, it is difficult to argue with.We’ve heard many stories of people who are outside of the traditional console consumer base buying the PlayStation 3 simply for its media capabilities.
With the spread of HD, Blu-ray and 3D television being pushed ever-harder at market we can only imagine that there will be many more people taking the plunge who haven’t the slightest intention of queuing up for Uncharted 3.
gazzagb
I use 4oD almost constantly, and occasionally use ITV Player. I would love to see Demand Five joining them on the XMB too.
cc_star
Yes, it would be good to have the full set. Don’t forget that all 4oD & Demand5 shows are on Youtube though which you can access through the PS3
hazelam
but the 4od stuff doesn’t seem to work on ps3, at least it doesn’t for me.
funnily enough, the ads play though.
gazzagb
As Hazelam said, 4oD doesn’t seem to work.
cc_star
Any option of deleting the ITV Player from the XMB?
My opinion of ITV Player is you should be grateful you dodged the bullet first time around, and not try and catch it again.
Good news on 4oD though, they have tons of archive stuff like whole series of Shameless & Skins etc
hazelam
oh come on, itv have lots of decent shows.
like… uhm… give me a minute… i’ll get back to you on that one.
Mason_Mk
Celebrity Juice for starters!
…and well that’s it for me
Bodachi
I wish the BBC Iplayer had its own app so I could download programs. And be able to use the remote control on it.
Charmed_Fanatic
Hope so, will be a welcomed addition :)
coruscant
Yay, 4oD! Now I can watch Peep Show and Inbetweeners on my PS3! :D
Sorry, ITV who? Never heard of them…
coruscant
It’s funny how the universal response to ITV and ITV Player is ‘arg! ITV is awful!’. I couldn’t agree more.
Metal Gear Steven:Guns of the Trophy hunter.
I hope 4od is easier to use as i have no idea of how use it and i’m a IT student, so i should know.
The itv player will be great for catching up with nothing.
bigdon23
id rather have itv player and 4OD than BBC iplayer any day
mr187uk
ITV and 4od is now on my PS3, anyone else?
gaffers101
That’s great news.