TVCatchup

TVCatchup retransmitted free-to-air channels appearing on Freeview and Freesat within the UK. Users were able to view up to 17 channels live via the Internet.{{cite news|last=Gilson|first=David|title=TVCatchup: Behind the scenes at the video-streaming service|url=http://crave.cnet.co.uk/software/tvcatchup-behind-the-scenes-at-the-video-streaming-service-49305138/|accessdate=24 June 2013|newspaper=CNET UK|date=2 March 2010|archive-date=6 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206050310/http://crave.cnet.co.uk/software/tvcatchup-behind-the-scenes-at-the-video-streaming-service-49305138/|url-status=dead}}

{{As of|2013|9|17}}, the website also offered a catchup service, providing listings for recently aired programmes from the UK's four largest broadcasters, and redirects viewers to their on-demand services.{{cite news|last=Gibbs|first=Samuel|title=TVCatchup expands service – with actual catchup TV|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/sep/18/tvcatchup-expands-service-with-actual-catchup-service|accessdate=26 September 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=18 September 2013}}{{cite web | url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/09/17/tvcatchup-adds-catch-up-tv-for-uk-s-major-broadcasters/ | title=TVCatchup adds catch-up TV for UK's major broadcasters | work=Engadget | date=17 September 2013 | accessdate=17 September 2013}}

It was possible to record TV in 2007, but that functionality was removed in 2008. The company said in 2010 that the facility would be returning to the site.

The following channels were available to all United Kingdom television licence holders:

TVCatchup owned its entire infrastructure. In 2010 it was reported that the network had a capacity for 50 GBps.

The service was accessed through desktop browsers with Adobe Flash installed. It can also be viewed on the Windows Media Center functions of Windows Vista{{cite web | url=http://forums.tvcatchup.com/showthread.php?t=931 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205015309/http://forums.tvcatchup.com/showthread.php?t=931 | url-status=dead | archive-date=5 February 2013 | title=Vista Media Center Beta Testers Wanted | publisher=studly_steve007 | access-date=3 March 2009 }} (Home Premium and Ultimate) and Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.{{cite web | url=http://forums.tvcatchup.com/showthread.php?t=970 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205002511/http://forums.tvcatchup.com/showthread.php?t=970 | url-status=dead | archive-date=5 February 2013 | title=Media Center 2005 beta testers wanted | publisher=studly_steve007 | access-date=3 March 2009 }}

TVCatchup was accessible on mobile devices through a range of free apps. An iOS app was released on the iTunes Store in 2011 for both iPhone and iPad. The app was compatible with Apple Airplay, meaning it can be viewed on a TV set. The app can be set to receive only via WiFi, to avoid incurring potentially high streaming costs.{{cite web | url=http://www.macworld.co.uk/ipad-iphone/reviews/?reviewid=3353726 | title=TVCatchup for iOS review | publisher=Macworld UK | date=25 April 2012 | accessdate=10 September 2012 | archive-date=16 July 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716195835/http://www.macworld.co.uk/ipad-iphone/reviews/?reviewid=3353726 | url-status=dead }} An Android app was released in September 2012, available from the Google Play store.{{cite web | url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/news/a403812/tv-catchup-lands-on-google-play.html | title=TV Catchup lands on Google Play | work=Digital Spy | date=4 September 2012 | accessdate=10 September 2012}} In December 2012, an app was launched for the Kindle HD Fire tablet.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} In February 2013, an app was launched for Windows Phone 8.{{cite web | url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/01/31/tvcatchup-reaches-windows-phone-8-in-the-uk/ | title=TVCatchup reaches Windows Phone 8 in the UK | work=Engadget | date=31 January 2013 | accessdate=31 January 2013}} All mobile devices can access the service through their browsers.

There is a plug-in available for XBMC.{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2012/aug/24/ask-jack-games-pc | title=Choosing parts for a £1,000 games PC |last= Schofield|first=Jack| work=The Guardian | date=24 August 2012 | accessdate=10 September 2012}} It used to be watchable on a PS3,{{Cite web |url=http://community.eu.playstation.com/playstationeu/board/message?board.id=62&thread.id=1084675 |title=TVCatchup - Watch live TV on your PS3 |access-date=3 April 2009 |archive-date=10 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710231218/http://community.eu.playstation.com/playstationeu/board/message?board.id=62&thread.id=1084675 |url-status=dead }} however as of a firmware update in 2010 this is no longer possible.

There was also an Adobe AIR desktop application released in Beta mode on 28 April 2009 for the Ubuntu 8.10 operating system, which was to be gradually updated to include features such as a full TV guide and PVR.{{cite web|url=http://forums.tvcatchup.com/showthread.php?t=2399 |title=TVCatchup's desktop Application Guide |publisher=TV Catchup team |access-date=30 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507061647/http://forums.tvcatchup.com/showthread.php?t=2399 |archive-date=7 May 2009 }}

TVCatchup released an Adobe AIR cross-platform desktop PVR into Beta mode on 8 May 2014, with features including a full TV guide, pop out player and PVR .{{cite web|url=http://tvcatchup.com/record |title=Record |publisher=TVCatchup |access-date=9 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510091701/http://www.tvcatchup.com/record |archive-date=10 May 2014 }}

In December 2015, TVCatchup announced on their site that they had commenced legal action against G Zero Ltd, an app developer it had originally contracted to provide mobile apps for its service. It is claimed that GZero used TVCatchup's IP to create and launch their own app, ToView Live TV which offers a similar service using both an advertising and subscription model. ToView is, according to the complaint, a re-brand of the original TVCatchup app.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvcatchup.com/|title=TVCatchup - Watch TV Online for Free & Never Miss A Show Again|website=TVCatchup|access-date=2 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227010012/http://www.tvcatchup.com/|archive-date=27 February 2009|url-status=dead}} As of February 2016, this legal action is still pending and the GZero app is still available in app stores.{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/toview-live-tv/id427900675 |title=ToView Live TV on the App Store |website=iTunes |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302012552/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/toview-live-tv/id427900675 |archive-date=2016-03-02}}{{cite web |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gzero.tv |title=TVCatchup - Aplikacije za Android v storitvi Google Play |website=play.google.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010065133/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gzero.tv |archive-date=2012-10-10}} TVCatchup relaunched their app in December 2015.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/tvcatchup-watch-free-live-tv/id1030827296?mt=8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113114400/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/tvcatchup-watch-free-live-tv/id1030827296?mt=8|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 January 2016|title=TVCatchup - Watch Free Live TV|website=App Store}}

TVCatchup retransmits free-to-air channels over the Internet on the basis of section 73 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (CDPA 1988), which allows for the retransmission of 'qualifying services'. Its status as a cable service was challenged by ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, when they issued legal proceedings in June 2010.{{cite web

| first=Tim| last=Bradshaw| date= 10 June 2010 | url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/477c5852-74c8-11df-aed7-00144feabdc0.html | title=TVCatchup website faces legal challenge | work=Financial Times |location=London| accessdate=10 June 2010}} In the hearings held in June 2011, Lord Justice Floyd in the High Court of Justice ruled that TVCatchup's defence relying on s.73 of the CDPA 1988 was valid. The judgement expressly excludes retransmission of any other channels under these provisions as well as retransmission to 3G mobile devices, home WiFi Mobile reception remains unaffected.{{cite court|litigants=ITV Broadcasting Ltd & Ors v TV Catchup Ltd|opinion=[2011] EWHC 1874 (Pat)|date=18 July 2011|url=http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/markup.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/Patents/2011/1874.html|quote=The section 73 defence applies to the qualifying services, but not in respect of re-transmission to mobile phones or of out of area services.}} In a court order dated 7 October 2013, the High Court ruled that TVCatchup should cease retransmitting the 'digital channels' of ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 but not the principal channels. TVCatchup was also required to deposit an amount of £200,000 in lieu of costs{{cite news|title=High Court Sealed Order|url=http://static.tvcatchup.com/DOCS/ITV,%20Ch%204,%20Ch%205%20v%20TV%20Catchup%20Sealed%20Order%20%207th%20October%202013%20LJ%20Floyd.pdf|access-date=16 October 2013|date=7 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017055956/http://static.tvcatchup.com/DOCS/ITV,%20Ch%204,%20Ch%205%20v%20TV%20Catchup%20Sealed%20Order%20%207th%20October%202013%20LJ%20Floyd.pdf|archive-date=17 October 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} and ordered to cease retransmission by mobile broadband, although it has been granted leave to appeal this decision. Meanwhile, reception by WiFi remains permissible.{{cite news|last=Farber|first=Alex|title=TVCatchUp ordered to remove PSB digital channels|url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/multiplatform/tvcatchup-ordered-to-remove-psb-digital-channels/5062436.article|accessdate=14 October 2013|newspaper=Broadcast|date=11 October 2013}}

On 26 March, the Court of Appeal dismissed TVCatchup's appeal, meaning the PSB channels may only be streamed by WifI. On the same day, the Department for Culture, Media & Sport published an open consultation on the balance of payments between television platforms and public service broadcasters within which the department stated the government's intention to repeal section 73.{{cite web|title=The balance of payments between television platforms and public service broadcasters: Consultation Paper|date=26 March 2015 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-balance-of-payments-between-television-platforms-and-public-service-broadcasters-consultation-paper}}

Although the Welsh public service broadcaster S4C is covered under the provisions of the CDPA 1988, the channel entered into a formal carriage agreement with TVCatchup in August 2013.{{cite news|last=Clover|first=Julian|title=S4C plans new catch-up services|url=http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2013/08/06/s4c-plans-new-catch-up-services/|accessdate=7 August 2013|newspaper=Broadband TV News|date=6 August 2013}}

The site was initially conceived as an online PVR 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.{{cite web

| first=Mark | last=Sweeney | date= 17 December 2007 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/dec/17/television.digitalmedia | title=TVCatchup faces legal battle | work=The Guardian |location=London| accessdate=21 November 2008}} However, following concerns from broadcasters about the functionality of the site, TVCatchup voluntarily suspended its services while their concerns were addressed.{{cite web

| first=Julian | last=Clover | date=19 February 2008 | url=http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2008/02/19/copyright-catches-up-with-tvcatchup/ | title=Copyright catches up with TVCatchup | work=Broadband TV News |location=London | accessdate=10 June 2010}}{{cite web

| first=Jemima | last=Kiss | date=18 February 2008 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/feb/18/digitaltvradio.bbc | title=TVCatchup suspended after complaints | work=The Guardian |location=London | accessdate=21 November 2008}}{{cite web

| first=Jemima | last=Kiss | date= 19 February 2008 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/pda/2008/feb/19/tvcatchupfillingthegapslef | title=TVCatchup – filling the gaps left by broadcasters? | work=The Guardian |location=London | accessdate=21 November 2008}}

iOS app

According to the Apple App Store listing for the iOS TVCatchup.com app, the company who published the app was Toyon Investments Limited.{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/tvcatchup-watch-free-live-tv/id1030827296?mt=8 |title=TVCatchup - Watch Free Live TV on the App Store |website=iTunes |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113114400/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/tvcatchup-watch-free-live-tv/id1030827296?mt=8 |archive-date=2016-01-13}}

Companies House, in the UK, report that company as being "dissolved" on 26 February 2019,{{Cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/10555820|title=TOYON INVESTMENTS LIMITED - Overview (Free company information from Companies House)}} which will likely be the reason behind the discontinuation of the TVCatchup.com streaming service.

Android app

The Android app is published by a company called Spaceshifting, LLC., and as-of March 2021 is still available to download in the Google Play Store,{{Cite web|title=TVCatchup - Watch Free Live TV - Apps on Google Play|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tvcatchup.android.videoplayer&hl=en_US&gl=US|access-date=2021-03-16|website=play.google.com|language=en}} despite the listing stating the last update published for the app was made on 16 October 2017, and most recent user comments reporting the app as being non-functional.

According to OpenCorporates.com, this was a company registered in Nevada, USA, and it declared "dissolution" on 8 February 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_wy/2016-000734985|access-date=2021-03-16|website=opencorporates.com|title=Spaceshifting LLC :: Wyoming (US) :: OpenCorporates}}

Social media

As of March 2021, a Twitter account still exists for TVCatchup.com, but has not posted since 14 March 2019.{{Cite web|title=TVCatchup (@TVCatchup)|url=https://twitter.com/tvcatchup?lang=en}}

• Internet Television
• IPTV

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{Official website|1=https://tvcatchup.com}}

{{Media in the United Kingdom|television}}

{{Video digital distribution platforms}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tvcatchup}}

Category:Streaming television in the United Kingdom

Category:Media players

Category:Android (operating system) software

Category:IOS software

Category:Windows Phone software