TV3 has launched a new mobile web friendly version of its video on-demand service 3 Player. The web app is built with HTML5 so it works on any smartphone directly in the browser – the way services should.
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TV3 is Ireland’s only independently owned television network and described the HTML5 web app as delivering greater benefits to the company, and of course end users, than a native app alternative. TV3 director of online Stephen Grant commented that “using the latest web technologies [HTML5] to deliver a native app type experience through the web browser gives us more control over content and streaming while also maximising our right position”. Streaming over the web – as opposed to a platform-dependent app – has allowed TV3 include hugely popular programming like Coronation Street and Emmerdale into its mobile catch-up service.
Currently only 13% of 3 Player traffic comes from mobile, but Grant expects mobile to be closer to 25% by the end of the year. This figure is slightly surprising considering that a BBC Worldwide survey carried out in Ireland at the start of the year and published today has shown that 64% of respondents own a smartphone and 86% have access to broadband.
From our own site analytics, we consistently get more mobile traffic from Ireland than any other country.
The app itself delivers the standard video on-demand app experience you would expect. And yes, it works on 3G.
Via: Digital Times, Irish Times
