TVCatchup
Encyclopedia
TVCatchup is an internet television
service for viewing certain UK channels from free-to-air digital terrestrial and satellite broadcasters live without the use of a television
receiver. The service re-broadcasts BBC
, ITV
, Channel 4
, Channel Five
and free to air Sky channels. Initially the legality of the service was questioned causing it to be suspended. The service was relaunched minus the network PVR functionality offering a roster of TV channels upon free registration. As the service permits the viewing of live television channels a TV licence is required. The service is only accessible in the United Kingdom
and according to TVCatchup's own forums. the website has stringent IP monitoring facilities that they use to detect and block multiple accesses from the same IP as well as all proxy and VPN access. The service is funded by advertising, with a pre-roll advertisement preceding the live channel stream.
service, where users could select shows from one of 30 free-to-air channels to record up to one week in advance of their broadcast. These online recordings could not be legally downloaded by the user, merely viewed online
. They could however be temporarily lent to other users who had not recorded the show, for a period of up to 60 days after their broadcast, when they were then removed from the site. The site differed from broadcaster services such as the BBC iPlayer
, 4oD and Demand Five
in that content was not instantly available to users, but had to be recorded in advance or requested. Just like a physical PVR, users were also able to create a series-link so that all future broadcasts of, for example, their favourite soap or documentary, would automatically be recorded.
Following concerns from broadcasters about the functionality of the site itself, TVCatchup went offline. Visitors to the site were presented with the following message:
The site remained offline until 10 October 2008 when it relaunched in beta status. The site currently offers users the ability to watch some Freeview channels live but has disabled earlier PVR functionality. It also operates a policy to encourage development of third party applications for uses such as recording shows, transcoding to allow storage/viewing on mobile applications and PVR like functions on the user's PC.
Opinion that the website is lawful has been given by prominent copyright experts Hamlins LLP of London and Robert Engleheart QC of Blackstone Chambers. Broadcasters have further participated in assessing the website prior to launch, and have been reported as having identified no legal cause to oppose the service.
The service makes it abundantly clear that users should be in possession of a UK TV licence to watch television as it is being broadcast and has tried to introduce strict geographical blocking and encryption measures to prevent direct access by those not entitled to use the service. It is known that there are many ways to circumvent these measures by use of a VPN and thus bypass the security of the website by making the user appear to be situated within the UK; however, the website has stringent IP monitoring facilities that they use to detect and block multiple accesses from the same IP as well as all proxy and VPN access.
Since late April 2009, the site has been blocking access from many proxy servers, rendering it impossible to view without meeting the original criteria, that users should be UK based. TVCatchup does not verify if users have a TV licence; however, users are advised on registration to TVCatchup that one is needed.
On 30 May 2009 the site launched a redesigned look and several new channels. However, they temporarily withdrew access to some new channels and their desktop application pending network improvements. They also removed their new FLEX web player and use the old player temporarily. After a complete re-write of their new system and a quadrupling of network capacity, at the beginning of August, the FLEX player was re-introduced along with numerous additional channels, including those from satellite sources. The desktop application is still disabled pending release of a new PVR application.
Following on the heels of their successful launch of their iTVC web application for iPhone users, allowing an alternative to BBC iPlayer for viewing live streamed broadcast TV for free, TVCatchup have announced that they are preparing to launch a full PVR application for download by users that will allow them to enjoy full Sky+ functionality on their PCs. This is scheduled for launch in 2010, along with an official iPhone application. While other smartphones (symbian, android) are able to download programmes from the BBC iPlayer for later viewing, the Apple iPhone cannot do this at present. TVCatchup have also released their radio streams, however only some work as it is in beta. They have also released an iPad
version including all 48 of their channels.
In June 2010, ITV
, Channel 4
and Channel Five
issued legal proceedings against TVCatchup. An attempt by TVCatchup to have the case thrown out of court was denied by Mr Justice Kitchin, who said that "the claim has a real prospect of success". In the hearings held in June 2011, Mr Justice Floyd
in the High Court of Justice
deemed that some operations of TVCatchup may be unlawfull. He ruled that TVCatchup's defence relying on section 73 of the Copyright Design and Patents Act 1988 was valid, allowing the service to retransmit 'qualifying services', namely all BBC services, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5, over the Internet. The judgment expressly excludes retransmission of any other channels under these provisions as well as retransmission to 3G mobile devices, home WiFi Mobile reception remains unaffected. However, the judge has referred to the European Court of Justice for guidance on certain aspects of the case.
installed. As it is in Flash 10 format, it can also be viewed on a PS3. The service can also be viewed on the Windows Media Center
Functions of Windows Vista
(Home Premium and Ultimate) and Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. There was also an Adobe AIR desktop application released in Beta mode on 28 April 2009, which was to be gradually updated to include features such as a full TV guide
and PVR
with a feature to enable iPhone owners to use the service also in Beta. iPhone users can access the service by navigating to http://iphone.tvcatchup.com in their Safari mobile browser.
It is also possible to view on the iPad
by using the iPad version which released Version 1.6 on 28 October 2010, at http://ipad.tvcatchup.com via Safari on the device. Android users on version 2.2 (Froyo) or above can use http://m.tvcatchup.com via the browser to access the website and have full access to all the streams.
channels all of which are preceded by streamed commercials.
Internet television
Internet television is the digital distribution of television content via the Internet...
service for viewing certain UK channels from free-to-air digital terrestrial and satellite broadcasters live without the use of a television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
receiver. The service re-broadcasts BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
, Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
, Channel Five
Channel Five
Channel 5 is a television network that broadcasts in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1997, it was the fifth and final national terrestrial analogue network to launch. The station was branded as Five between 2002 and 2010...
and free to air Sky channels. Initially the legality of the service was questioned causing it to be suspended. The service was relaunched minus the network PVR functionality offering a roster of TV channels upon free registration. As the service permits the viewing of live television channels a TV licence is required. The service is only accessible in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and according to TVCatchup's own forums. the website has stringent IP monitoring facilities that they use to detect and block multiple accesses from the same IP as well as all proxy and VPN access. The service is funded by advertising, with a pre-roll advertisement preceding the live channel stream.
2007-2008
Launched in late 2007, the site was initially conceived as an online PVRDigital video recorder
A digital video recorder , sometimes referred to by the merchandising term personal video recorder , is a consumer electronics device or application software that records video in a digital format to a disk drive, USB flash drive, SD memory card or other local or networked mass storage device...
service, where users could select shows from one of 30 free-to-air channels to record up to one week in advance of their broadcast. These online recordings could not be legally downloaded by the user, merely viewed online
Streaming media
Streaming media is multimedia that is constantly received by and presented to an end-user while being delivered by a streaming provider.The term "presented" is used in this article in a general sense that includes audio or video playback. The name refers to the delivery method of the medium rather...
. They could however be temporarily lent to other users who had not recorded the show, for a period of up to 60 days after their broadcast, when they were then removed from the site. The site differed from broadcaster services such as the BBC iPlayer
BBC iPlayer
BBC iPlayer, commonly shortened to iPlayer, is an internet television and radio service, developed by the BBC to extend its former RealPlayer-based and other streamed video clip content to include whole TV shows....
, 4oD and Demand Five
Demand Five
Demand 5 is the brand name of video on demand services offered by Channel 5 in the United Kingdom. The service, which was previously known as 'Five Download', went live on 26 June 2008....
in that content was not instantly available to users, but had to be recorded in advance or requested. Just like a physical PVR, users were also able to create a series-link so that all future broadcasts of, for example, their favourite soap or documentary, would automatically be recorded.
Following concerns from broadcasters about the functionality of the site itself, TVCatchup went offline. Visitors to the site were presented with the following message:
2008-present
Opinion that the website is lawful has been given by prominent copyright experts Hamlins LLP of London and Robert Engleheart QC of Blackstone Chambers. Broadcasters have further participated in assessing the website prior to launch, and have been reported as having identified no legal cause to oppose the service.
The service makes it abundantly clear that users should be in possession of a UK TV licence to watch television as it is being broadcast and has tried to introduce strict geographical blocking and encryption measures to prevent direct access by those not entitled to use the service. It is known that there are many ways to circumvent these measures by use of a VPN and thus bypass the security of the website by making the user appear to be situated within the UK; however, the website has stringent IP monitoring facilities that they use to detect and block multiple accesses from the same IP as well as all proxy and VPN access.
Since late April 2009, the site has been blocking access from many proxy servers, rendering it impossible to view without meeting the original criteria, that users should be UK based. TVCatchup does not verify if users have a TV licence; however, users are advised on registration to TVCatchup that one is needed.
On 30 May 2009 the site launched a redesigned look and several new channels. However, they temporarily withdrew access to some new channels and their desktop application pending network improvements. They also removed their new FLEX web player and use the old player temporarily. After a complete re-write of their new system and a quadrupling of network capacity, at the beginning of August, the FLEX player was re-introduced along with numerous additional channels, including those from satellite sources. The desktop application is still disabled pending release of a new PVR application.
Following on the heels of their successful launch of their iTVC web application for iPhone users, allowing an alternative to BBC iPlayer for viewing live streamed broadcast TV for free, TVCatchup have announced that they are preparing to launch a full PVR application for download by users that will allow them to enjoy full Sky+ functionality on their PCs. This is scheduled for launch in 2010, along with an official iPhone application. While other smartphones (symbian, android) are able to download programmes from the BBC iPlayer for later viewing, the Apple iPhone cannot do this at present. TVCatchup have also released their radio streams, however only some work as it is in beta. They have also released an iPad
IPad
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
version including all 48 of their channels.
In June 2010, ITV
ITV plc
ITV plc is a British media company that operates 12 of the 15 regional television broadcasters that make up the ITV Network, the oldest and largest commercial terrestrial television network in the United Kingdom...
, Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
and Channel Five
Channel Five
Channel 5 is a television network that broadcasts in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1997, it was the fifth and final national terrestrial analogue network to launch. The station was branded as Five between 2002 and 2010...
issued legal proceedings against TVCatchup. An attempt by TVCatchup to have the case thrown out of court was denied by Mr Justice Kitchin, who said that "the claim has a real prospect of success". In the hearings held in June 2011, Mr Justice Floyd
Christopher Floyd
Sir Christopher David Floyd , styled The Hon. Mr Justice Floyd, is an English barrister and judge. He has served as a Justice of the High Court's Chancery Division since 2007.-Career:...
in the High Court of Justice
High Court of Justice
The High Court of Justice is, together with the Court of Appeal and the Crown Court, one of the Senior Courts of England and Wales...
deemed that some operations of TVCatchup may be unlawfull. He ruled that TVCatchup's defence relying on section 73 of the Copyright Design and Patents Act 1988 was valid, allowing the service to retransmit 'qualifying services', namely all BBC services, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5, over the Internet. The judgment expressly excludes retransmission of any other channels under these provisions as well as retransmission to 3G mobile devices, home WiFi Mobile reception remains unaffected. However, the judge has referred to the European Court of Justice for guidance on certain aspects of the case.
Ways to watch the service
As of November 2010, the service can be viewed on any average computer with a web browser with Adobe FlashAdobe Flash
Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
installed. As it is in Flash 10 format, it can also be viewed on a PS3. The service can also be viewed on the Windows Media Center
Windows Media Center
Windows Media Center is a digital video recorder and media player developed by Microsoft. It is an application that allows users to view and record live television, as well as organize and play music and videos...
Functions of Windows Vista
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
(Home Premium and Ultimate) and Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. There was also an Adobe AIR desktop application released in Beta mode on 28 April 2009, which was to be gradually updated to include features such as a full TV guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
and PVR
PVR
PVR may refer to:*Peak Vehicle Requirement, the number of public transport vehicles required to operate the highest frequency service on a route*Penn Virginia Resources, a mining company* Personal video recorder, also known as a digital video recorder...
with a feature to enable iPhone owners to use the service also in Beta. iPhone users can access the service by navigating to http://iphone.tvcatchup.com in their Safari mobile browser.
It is also possible to view on the iPad
IPad
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
by using the iPad version which released Version 1.6 on 28 October 2010, at http://ipad.tvcatchup.com via Safari on the device. Android users on version 2.2 (Froyo) or above can use http://m.tvcatchup.com via the browser to access the website and have full access to all the streams.
Television channels
TVCatchup allows users to watch from a choice of fifty-two free-to-airFree-to-air
Free-to-air describes television and radio services broadcast in clear form, allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen to the content without requiring a subscription or one-off fee...
channels all of which are preceded by streamed commercials.