ABC’s iView on a Sony Bravia

Recently the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) announced a further development for their iView on-demand internet based video service and Sony. The new internet enabled Sony Bravia televisions and Blu-ray players will allow access to ABC’s iView. The partnership between the two institutions began last year with the introduction of access to iView through Sony’s PlayStation 3 gaming console.

With the recent announcement, Sony has taken into consideration the concerns of PS3 users, with iView being available through a dedicated application rather than the web browser method used on the PlayStation 3 console. This change in approach does have drawbacks, ‘the ABC says that ‘formatting issues’ will mean the main drawcards for iView as a catchup service – such as the 7pm News, The 7.30 Report, Four Corners, Lateline, Lateline Business, The Midday Report and Foreign Correspondent – will be missing at launch’ (APC Mag).
Another issue for Australian homes will be internet usage, when the service is accessed through the internet enabled Sony Bravia televisions and Blu-ray players it will be metered regardless of whether you’re connected with one of the Internet service providers allowing unmetered access to iView.

The ABC argues that, ‘with ISP’s like iiNet and Telstra looking to launch their own competing IPTV services, it certainly makes sense from a business perspective that they don’t want to give competitors a leg up’ (Crickey).

Sony will be offering additional IPTV channels with iView, including new global channels, ‘On Networks, Daily Motion, Howcast and Concierge. These channels join catch-up TV services and made-for-the-internet content from Yahoo!7, SBS, Billabong and YouTube that will be made available through BRAVIA Internet Video in the coming months.’ (Sony)

RELATED LINKS
ABC iView gets better connected
http://blogs.abc.net.au/abc_tv/2010/04/abc-iview-gets-better-connected.html

ABC iView to be bundled with Sony Bravia TVs and Blu-ray decks
http://apcmag.com/abc-iview-to-be-bundled-with-sony-bravia-tvs-and-blu-ray-decks.htm

Sony connect up the iView
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/whitenoise/2010/04/12/sony-connect-up-the-iview/

Why The iView Bravia App Will Be Metered
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/04/why-the-iview-bravia-app-will-be-metered/

Sony strengthens its IPTV offering in Australia
http://www.sony.com.au/pressrelease/asset/392405/section/consumerproductspressreleases