So Australian FTA apps get prominence
But what about Australian streaming apps?
Binge? Stan?
Paramount+ commissions 5x the amount of Australian drama That 7 or 9 do, why don’t they get prominence too?
The difference is that new TVs are already loaded up with thOSE Streaming Apps in a prominent position. For the FTA apps, you need to install them individually.
I just bought a new Samsung last week it already had Netflix, Prime, Disney+, Apple+, YouTube etc loaded on the Home screen. You even have dedicated buttons on the remote for the top 4.
Loading iView, 7plus, 10play was fiddly and a pain. You had to search for them, install them and then Add to Home screen. I’d say most people wouldn’t bother and then later wouldn’t know how to watch any of those streaming apps.
It’s a funny thing. I don’t know anyone who uses the apps directly from the TV. My family and friends either use Apple TV, Google TV or Fetch to access the streamers.
Come to think of it I don’t even think I’ve checked out the apps on my Samsung TV.
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I was doing the same but now I know why I should use the TV instead. It’s a 4K television so if a program is screened or available in 4K then the TV will automatically play it in that format now.
I noticed it with the latest Doctor Who. Watched a bit through Fetch then watched it directly on my TV. The difference was stark. 
Plus they were slower to load up and more cumbersome to use on my previous 8 year old telly. They are superfast now on the new one.
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Oh, I see. I didn’t think of that. Very clever. I’ll try that tonight.
So those are the huge global players.
What about Stan, Binge, Kayo and Paramount+ - who as I said produces more Australian drama than 7 9 and ABC
Why are AU FTA apps getting prominence but not AU sub apps?
Maybe those streaming services are paying the television manufacturers top dollar to appear right at the top of the Home Screen to the detriment of other streaming services.
I’m not in Australia so I don’t know - your comment on when you unboxed your Samsung tv it had all the global players but none of the aussie players. That would be across all Samsung TVs sold in Au.
Any legislation should cover services run and programmed in Australia who invest in considerable amounts of Australian programming: Foxtel, Binge, Stan, Kayo, P+
Not just FTA services - the legislation is already out of date in that case - and not protecting Australian content but protecting FTA
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It does come with most of those others loaded. I just didn’t list every single one. I did write etc.
Stan, Binge, Kayo, Optus Sport, Spotify, Alexa and Bixby are also on it. This image shows most of the default ones. I remember Paramount+ was not on the list though because I added that one along with iView, SBS On Demand, 7Plus, 9Now, 10Play.
Thanks for the clarification
Great to know that services that make a lot of au shoes are being included. That’s good for the industry
Has anyone else found themselves drawn back to Free to Air?
I’ve been watching more and more FTA lately due to the overwhelming amount of content on streaming, the cost of the streamers and the time you need to commit to these shows.
It really annoys me commiting years and years to scripted shows only for them to be axed without a resolution.
It’s so much easier watching FTA where the shows only last a few weeks/ months then end their season. Shows such as MasterChef, The Voice etc where the season ends definitively with a resolution. Even Border Security, RPA, Bondi Rescue. All these excellent programs that don’t need years and years of commitment only to end without resolution.
I’m also enjoying Travel Guides, The 1% Club, Have You Been Paying Attention, Cheap Seats etc and I’m finding that’s enough television for me.
Is anyone else feeling the same?
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No.
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Never gave up on FTA. Have always had my favourites like Have You Been Paying Attention, Cheap Seats and watch very few reality shows.
I only subscribe to streaming services for short periods. Have had Amazon a couple of times. Apple for a free month. On my second stint of Disney with a free three months offer. Next, I have six months of Binge free with the recent purchase of a Samsung TV.
Just watch all the shows I like and quit.
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I can see FTA having a bit of a bounceback, led by their streaming apps given the current cost of living pressures and sheer volume of subscription options out there today (the market is well and truly saturated). I don’t see it lasting forever though especially if they keep flogging tired and repetitive formats to death (how many times has Big Brother been revived now?).
I think the British FTA broadcasters are on a winner with what I’ve seen of their new “Freely” app, all the live channels in one place and a quick launch to the apps for Video On Demand. Freeview FV could have been something like that if the networks here hadn’t sabotaged it by removing the live channels and forcing people to switch to the apps.
If the FTAs are looking for a quick win, I know one big bugbear of a lot of people, especially older people, is having to set up accounts for up to 5 different apps. If the networks could collaborate and have a single log on that works on all of the apps, it would help especially with casual viewers that just want to put something on quickly without jumping through hoops.
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A few years ago I would have said this but the FTA networks have been pretty smart with the content they are getting so they make sure they have something different from everyone else. Apart from ads the content isn’t that bad.
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I think the free to air networks will be around a lot longer than most we’re anticipating. I feel like Local News, Sports and Variety will keep it going for years to come.
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Nothing worse than having to re-connect accounts when you want to use a catch up app. 9Now is bad for this.
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Agree. I think there is still a lot of potential here. And I think 7 is on the right track by having 7+ which I think os just seen as an extension of the main channel.
Stan and co. are new subscriptions.
It would be easy for 7+ to slip in a premium account, to access more exclusive content for example.
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I agree with you 7 really have done well with 7plus and I would happy to cut all my subscription services for 7plus premium content and HD viewing .
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I said it months ago Seven has a lot of what you could argue is premium content now. So they could very easily turn it into a subscription service.
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