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UK Freeview TV App

C

csheath

macrumors member
Original poster
Has anyone used tvcatchup.com?

Seems they've submitted an app to Apple, this would be great if it gets approved, all the free to air UK channels on your iPhone. Theres a bit more info on their forums
 
"The website [TVCatchup] has been confirmed as being lawful by prominent copyright experts Hamlins LLP of London and Robert Engleheart QC of Blackstone Chambers. Broadcasters have further participated in assessing the website prior to launch, and have been reported as having identified no legal cause to oppose the service."

Note that despite the name, TVCatchup currently only allows you to watch Live TV online. PVR and catchup-type functionality is more legally questionable. You do need to hold a UK TV-license to legally use TVCatchup.

The quality is also not that great - certainly inferior to BBC iPlayer's "HD" service. Perfect for an iPhone-size screen, however!
 
"The website [TVCatchup] has been confirmed as being lawful by prominent copyright experts Hamlins LLP of London and Robert Engleheart QC of Blackstone Chambers. Broadcasters have further participated in assessing the website prior to launch, and have been reported as having identified no legal cause to oppose the service."
Click to expand...

They're not likely to say that they're illegal are they? The Pirate Bay claims it isn't breaking any laws, and they're going to prison.

However, crucially no QC can "confirm" something is lawful. Only a judge can do that. A QC can just offer their opinion on the likelyhood of any success in a case. And I can see no good reason under the UK Copyright Act (especially given the changes made in the Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003) that this would be anything other than illegal.

One would also note that TV Catchup claimed the same about their previous network PVR service, which got promptly withdrawn after the broadcasters persued it legally.

Even if their claims on copyright were true (which they're not) the front of the site it covered in trademark infringements.

Phazer
 
This is working as a web app in the UK now. Point your browser to iphone.tvcatchup.com Works pretty well, great to have live tv on my phone 😀

Don't forget to add a link to your homescreen as well!
 
m477h3w said:
This is working as a web app in the UK now. Point your browser to iphone.tvcatchup.com Works pretty well, great to have live tv on my phone 😀

Don't forget to add a link to your homescreen as well!
Click to expand...
Am I missing something? I get to choose a channel and then nothing happens?
 
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