BBC and ITV add Windows Phone 8 catch-up support

UK terrestrial broadcasters ITV and the BBC have each added Windows Phone 8 device support to their respective catch-up services. 

ITV launched a version of its ITV Player app, compatible with Windows Phone 8 devices, on the Widows Phone Store yesterday.

This will offer 30 days worth of ITV catch-up content from its ITV, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4 and CITV output, as well as live, simulcast viewing options.

Meanwhile, the BBC announced this morning that it is launching its latest, revamped version of the iPlayer on Windows Phone 8 devices, having first launched an earlier version of its service on Windows Phone 8 a year ago.

The iPlayer features debuting on Windows Phone 8 include an adaptive bitrate media player, subtitle options and live TV streaming.

“As well as new features, we’ve put a lot of effort into improving the general app experience. This update is far more stable and is expected to work with a wider range of Windows Phones,” said Navin Nair, a Business Analyst in the BBC iPlayer team.

At ITV, Paul Kanareck, director of online and brands, said: “We are very excited to have launched the ITV Player app on Windows Phone 8 devices. Mobile is becoming an increasingly important route for audiences to access our content with over 50% of long form requests for the ITV Player coming from mobiles and tablets in 2013. We will continue to expand our reach across suitable devices going forward.”