Fetch hits fast forward on app integration
- Written by The Times
Fetch hits fast forward on app integration with the launch of the Metrological Application Platform
Fetch subscribers are set to gain access to even more world class content, thanks to an Australian-first partnership with Metrological, a Comcast company.
From next month, Fetch subscribers will have access to a first wave of apps available in Metrological’s App Library, including Acorn TV, iwonder, Vevo, Vimeo, Kidoodle, The Weather Network, and a rebuilt hayu app. Additional premium, niche, and localised apps will be added in the coming months.
Metrological offers a global cloud-based Application Platform that allows Fetch TV to quickly and seamlessly integrate apps into the Fetch service. Metrological has partnered with leading global companies including Comcast, Sky, Liberty Global, Vodafone, and others. Fetch TV has secured rights for Australia and New Zealand.
The Metrological Application Platform will complement Fetch TV’s advanced native app integration capabilities, and allow Fetch to service the long tail of quality content available via OTT apps. Fetch native app integrations to date include Netflix, Stan, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount Plus, Britbox, Optus Sport, YouTube, YouTube Kids, and the 6 Free-to-Air BVOD Apps - 7Plus, 9Now, 10 Play, ABC iView, ABC Kids, and SBS on Demand. Fetch also offers over 50 channels from the world’s leading providers, and a TV and Movie Store with circa 10,000 titles.
Scott Lorson, CEO of Fetch TV, said “The launch of the Metrological Application Platform will open up a new world of content to Fetch subscribers and provide an easy way to access the things they love to watch, all in one place. This latest innovation is another demonstration of the commitment Fetch has to providing a world class aggregation platform, offering value not previously seen in the Australian market.”
Jeroen Ghijsen, CEO of Metrological, said: “We are proud to continue our work with Fetch to provide subscribers with a seamless and unified viewing experience, and even more of the world-class content they crave. Now more than ever, consumers want access to long tail OTT apps, as well as niche and localized content behind one remote, and with the most compelling user experiences in real-time.”
Content providers can leverage the open LightningTM Software Development Kit (SDK) for quick app development, with a single app build facilitating distribution to a global footprint of operators. Carrier billing functionality is available in selected apps, enabling users to sign up and pay via their Fetch account.
Adding to the user experience on Fetch is the availability of Universal Voice Search, making it easy for users to find content from across the whole of Fetch, including all the channels, apps and YouTube, with one simple spoken request. Universal Search for the latest apps from the Metrological app library will be added in the next Fetch production release scheduled for later this year. The new apps will be available on Fetch Mini, Mini 4K and Mighty boxes.
About Acorn TV
Acorn TV curates a world-class library of captivating crime thrillers, addictive dramas, and intriguing mysteries. Stream award-winning shows, exclusive Originals, unmissable dramas, and heart-warming comedies from Britain and beyond.
Key shows include My Life is Murder, Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, Whitstable Pearl, Midsomer Murders and Agatha Christie’s Poirot and Marple.
The subscription cost is $6.99 per month with a 7 day free trial.
Why Acorn TV? With thousands of hours of content and new and exclusive shows added weekly, Acorn TV is a great value streaming service for people who love world-class mysteries and crime dramas
About iwonder
iwonder is a documentary and current affairs streaming service, curating the world’s best feature film documentaries and factual content all on one platform. With a vast library of more than 1,000 critically acclaimed, award-winning and festival favourite movies, series and shorts, iwonder marries trending news stories with fascinating and captivating real-life stories about the people and events shaping world affairs, politics, music, culture, religion, sports, art, nature, history, science, technology and much more.
Priced at $6.99 monthly or $69.90 annually and including a 14-day free trial - top documentaries available to stream right now on iwonder include: Tales of the Grim Sleeper – An investigation into the 25-year killing spree of serial killer Lonnie Franklin Jr. and his arrest; The Pickup Game - An inside look at the multi-million dollar 'pickup' industry; and Eating Animals – A film exploring the notion of stepping away from the industrial meat farming practices of the past 40 years.
About Vevo
Vevo is the world's leading music video network. Vevo offers music fans across the world a vast array of premium content to choose from, showcasing official premium music videos alongside a constantly developing line-up of live performances and innovative original programming. From your favourite artists and the biggest names in music, to discovering the next big thing, Vevo brings high quality music video content direct to your screen.
About hayu
From NBCUniversal, hayu is the first and only all-reality subscription video-on-demand service of its kind – available in 27 markets globally across: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK on a full array of devices (mobile, tablet, laptop, connected TVs and selected consoles) at www.hayu.com
Shows and episodes are downloadable to watch-on-the-go, including Keeping Up With the Kardashians and its spin-offs – along with The Real Housewives, Below Deck and Million Dollar Listing franchises. The majority of US shows debut on the service the same day as their US launch.
The subscription cost is $6.99 per month with a 7 day free trial.
hayu has been available on Fetch since July 2017. The app has been rebuilt in the Metrological Application Platform with carrier billing added. Existing subscribers on Mini, Mink 4K and Mighty boxes will need to log into the new app using their current details. The previous version of the app will continue to run on the older Gen 2 Fetch boxes.
About Metrological
Metrological, a Comcast company, enables operators to seamlessly integrate their TV and OTT content into a single viewer experience. The cloud-based Application Platform delivers a complete product suite for monetization, onboarding and managing the lifecycle of apps and premium OTT services on any device. Content providers are able to reach over 40 million households across operator networks by adding a single app to the Metrological App Library. Metrological works with cable and telecommunications companies such as Comcast, Liberty Global, Vodafone, NOS, Fetch and Multichoice. Founded in 2005, Metrological is based in The Netherlands with offices in the U.S. and Europe. For more information, please visit www.metrological.com.
About Fetch TV
Fetch TV partners with leading Australian internet service providers Optus, TPG Vodafone (iiNet, Internode, and Westnet), Vocus (Dodo and iPrimus) and Aussie Broadband along with leading retailers Harvey Norman, JB Hi Fi, Bing Lee and The Good Guys to provide subscribers with an entertainment service delivered to the TV over a broadband connection to a set top box. In addition to a 1 terabyte personal video recorder for recording TV, the content line-up includes an in-home movie store with over 9,500 titles including the latest new releases, a TV store with leading TV shows to purchase, leading SVOD services Netflix, Stan Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+ and hayu, Free to Air and subscription Catch-Up TV services, Pay per View access to UFC, and apps including YouTube, as well as the option to add subscription entertainment channel packs from major content providers. Visit fetch.com.au for more information. Fetch TV is proud to be recognised as a Kincentric Best Employer in 2020 and 2021.
