14 DAY TRIAL // Fans of TV4 Group's TV4 Play can now access the channel on their Apple TV set-top boxes as the result of a backend update scheduled by Apple to go live starting today.
Stockholm, Sweden-based TV4 Group today announced that Apple TV owners can use the TV4 Play service on their set-top boxes to access TV4 live broadcasting and original programming.
TV4 started broadcasting by satellite in 1990 and later established a terrestrial network. In 1994, TV4 became the largest channel in Sweden, and it stayed that way for many years. Since 2004, the network has been an active member of the European Broadcasting Union.
TV4 offers a brew of news, sports, drama series, soap operas, sitcoms, entertainment, current affairs programs, feature films, documentaries, and even phone-in shows.
As part of its deal with Apple, full episodes of current TV4 Group shows will be available for watching on Apple TV seven days after their original air date, and Premium subscribers will get additional content, “with most current and previously aired episodes available for a longer time period.”
User features include queue support, a “resume play” option that allows viewers to pick up where they left off, a personalized lists of favorite shows, and other utilities.
There aren’t too many HD shows available at this time, but TV4 Group promises to expand the library in the near future.
“Select shows are available in HD only through ‘TV4 Play’ on Apple TV, with the number of available HD shows expected to increase rapidly over the coming months,” says the network.
Annika Larsson Järund, head of TV4 Play, says, “We’re incredibly excited to be the first Scandinavian content provider to launch on Apple TV. With HD content from ‘TV4 Play’ on Apple TV it's even easier for viewers to enjoy the wide range of entertainment and quality broadcasting available from TV4.”
TV4 Group offers more information on TV4 Play at http://www.tv4play.se.
TV4 Play is also available on iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad for customers who are looking to watch their favorite shows from TV4 wherever they find themselves.
Premium customers can log in and access 11 live TV channels, including live sports and a large archive without commercial breaks. TV4 Play Premium Sport subscribers can follow SHL, Champions League, La Liga, Tennis, and more.
The app is free to download and requires only iOS 5.1.1 (or newer). Compatible devices include iPhone 3GS and later, iPad 2 and later, and iPod touch 5th-generation. For best results, the network recommends that iDevice owners use the TV4 Play app on Wi-Fi.