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Channel 4 (VoD service)

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Channel 4
Original author(s)Channel Four Television Corporation
Developer(s)Channel Four Television Corporation
Initial release16 November 2006
Stable release
30 March 2015
Platform
Available inEnglish
TypeTelevision catch-up
Websitewww.channel4Edit this on Wikidata
Channel 4
Television channels
Former channels
Online services
Other

Channel 4(previously4oDandAll 4) is avideo on demandservice fromChannel Four Television Corporation,[1]free of charge for most content and funded by advertising.[2]The service is available in the UK and Ireland; viewers are not required to have aTV licence—required for live viewing and theBBC iPlayeron-demand service—when watching on-demand services.[2]The service launched on 16 November 2006 as4oD(for "4 on Demand" ).[3]The service offers a variety of programmes recently shown onChannel 4,E4,More4,Film4andE4 Extraand shorts, alongside exclusive content such as programming fromAdult Swim.[4]However some programmes and movies are not available due to rights issues. The service was originally available without registration, but free registration was later required.[5]The service is available without advertising (except for live viewing) on payment of a subscription, under the name Channel 4+ (previously All 4+).[6]

The cable and IPTV versions are operated through an appropriate set-top box, theInternetvariant can be accessed via their website, and there are apps for mobile devices. All 4 generated around 215 million long-form video views on all platforms where it is available in the first half of 2011, making Channel 4 the biggest commercial UK broadcaster in the video on-demand market during the period.[7]

On 30 March 2015, 4oD was merged into and renamed All 4.[8](References below to "All 4" before that date should be understood as including 4oD.)

On 28 February 2019, All 4 was rebranded with a new logo, website design and app design.[9]

On 17 April 2023, All 4 rebranded as Channel 4, becoming the "first UK broadcaster to adopt one brand identity across its digital and linear channels".[10]

Web platforms[edit]

Channel4[edit]

All 4 is the main source of on demand programmes from Channel 4, E4, and More4. The catch up service currently lasts 30 days, and the archive has thousands of hours of programming.[4]

By April 2009, the Internet version was fully available to Mac and Windows users withAdobe Flash Playerinstalled.[11]

The "catch-up" service offers content free of charge for 30 days after a programme's broadcast on Channel 4. As of 2011, not all content is available to Irish users, due to licensing restrictions; however, the majority of the programming is available.[12]Live streaming of Channel 4 and its sister channels is not available outside the UK.

Channel 4 relaunched 4oD on 31 August 2011.[13]At the heart of the changes is 'My 4oD', allowing registered users to build playlists, schedule shows, maintain a record of what they have watched, save their favourites in a single place, and receive in-page reminders from Channel 4 whenever a new episode is available for them to watch.[14]Other features include better full-page viewing and optimised site navigation during viewing.

Since 2014, the service stops users withad blockingsoftware from watching videos on All 4.[citation needed]

Other providers of Channel 4 content[edit]

Amazon Instant Video[edit]

Amazon Instant Videohas a content deal with Channel 4, giving its members streaming access to All 4's archive in a specially branded All 4 collection.[15]

Blinkbox[edit]

Blinkboxpreviously acquired licenses for a number of programmes to be accessed on its website, although All 4 itself is not available. Some TV series are available free of charge, such asBalls of Steel,Embarrassing Bodies,Shameless UK,andSkins,while others, for exampleER,Shameless US,andThe Big Bang Theory,are charged for.

Netflix[edit]

Netflixbought the rights to a number of Channel 4 shows, such asFather Ted,The IT Crowd,andThe Inbetweeners,which were shown without adverts.[16][17][18]These shows were removed fromNetflixin the UK on 15 February 2014.[citation needed]

YouTube[edit]

4oD launched onYouTubein the UK in late 2009, with seven genre-dedicated channels for 4oD additional to separate channels Channel 4 and E4.[citation needed]However, it was announced on 7 January 2014 that Channel 4 had removed all its long-form programming from YouTube in order to focus on the 4oD platform itself, although programming from 4Shorts and Mashed would remain available.[19]On May 11, 2022, Channel 4 announced that a select amount of shows would be made available on YouTube and selected programmes would be made available on YouTube 30 days after being broadcast on Channel 4 and E4.[20]

Third party "box-set" content[edit]

During 2020 Channel 4 entered a new licensing deal with theWalt Disney Companyfor distributing a variety of older20th Century Foxprogramming as part of All 4's expanding "box set" feature. In June,Buffy the Vampire Slayerwas introduced,[21]followed byAngelin September 2020,[22]andMalcolm in the Middlein October 2020.[23]

2023 rebrand[edit]

On 2 November 2022, Channel 4 announced plans to rebrand its on-demand service, All 4, as Channel 4. In a statement released by Channel 4, the change enabled it to become "the first UK broadcaster to adopt one brand identity across its digital and linear channels".[24][25]It was also announced that their portfolio of channels will also align with the Channel 4 branding. It took place in Spring 2023.

Television platforms[edit]

Blu-ray players and televisions[edit]

An All 4 app for theSamsung Smart TVservice was released on 22 March 2013.[26]

Freesat[edit]

All 4 became available as part ofFreesat's second generation Free Time guide on 27 June 2013, offering the last seven days of programming integrated to the TV guide and access to the All 4 archive via the on demand section.[27] As of 22 February 2018 All 4 will no longer be available on Freesat services.[28]

Sky[edit]

All 4 was added toSky'sOn Demandservice on 18 March 2013.[29]

Virgin Media[edit]

All 4 is available onVirgin Media'scable televisionservice.[30]This platform offers programmes for 7 days after broadcast and Virgin has exclusive use of most of Channel 4 archive which is free on XL package. In 2007, Virgin Media announced plans to offer high definition programming through All 4 but as of 2012no further information has been released.[31]

YouView[edit]

All 4 was one of four services available at the launch ofYouViewin July 2012. At launch, the All 4 app contained options to resume watching recent programmes and browse by most popular, categories, collections, and A-to-Z, but lacked a search function and contained non-skippable adverts.[32]It is also available forEE TVandTalkTalk Plus TVcustomers, as these services run on YouView.

Game consoles[edit]

PlayStation 3[edit]

All 4 was released on 14 December 2010 onPlayStation 3via thePlayStation Network.[33]This service was accessible through ps3.channel4,[34]but has now been replaced with a native app. The app version of All 4 for PlayStation 3 was released on 20 June 2013, allowing access to the full All 4 library.[35]All 4 on PS3 is free and ad-funded with pre-, mid- and post-roll video ads being sold and served by Channel 4. The service closed on PS3 systems on 31 January 2021.

PlayStation 4[edit]

The All 4 app was launched onPlayStation 4on 23 December 2015.

PlayStation 5[edit]

All 4 is now available on thePlayStation 5.[36]

Xbox 360[edit]

On 5 October 2011, it was announced that All 4 would be made available to allXbox Live Goldmembers.[37][38][39]The service also integrates with theXbox 360'sKinectcontroller. All 4 was added to the Xbox Live on 21 December 2011.[40]All content on Xbox Live contains ads which cannot be skipped.

Xbox One[edit]

On 8 November 2013,Channel 4announced that the All 4 app would be available onXbox Onewhen it launched on 22 November 2013.[41]In August 2019, the app was removed from the Microsoft Store.

Mobile platforms[edit]

Android devices[edit]

An All 4 app for theAndroidoperating system was released on 5 February 2013. As of 2020Android version 5.0 or greater is required.[42]The service does not support devices it detects asrooted.[42]

iOS devices[edit]

An All 4iPadapp launched on 3 May 2011, offering a 30-day catch-up service.[43]As of 2011,this app was compatible with iPad withiOS 3.2or later.[44]The design of the app was elegant and intuitive but received unfavourable reviews because of technical issues and its use of commercial breaks. Since 2013, download and offline watching is supported.[45]

An All 4 app for theiPhoneandiPod Touchallowing a 30-day catch-up was released on 2 September 2011, along with an update to the iPad app.[46]Both apps support search functionality to enable users to navigate the catch-up and archive content. They can both be browsed in 3G, but video playback is still only available with a Wi-Fi signal to "ensure the quality of the viewing experience isn't affected". The app also links to Channel 4's content oniTunes,allowing programmes to be purchased.

Windows Phone[edit]

On 13 November 2013, a native All 4 app was launched for mobile phones running theWindows Phone8 platform.[47]

Computer platforms[edit]

The service was originally available as aWindows-only desktop program for downloading shows similar toBBC iPlayerDesktop.[3]Following the launch of the web version of 4oD in April 2009, the desktop client continued to allow content from outside the catch-up window to be downloaded.[48]TheKontikibased program which offeredWindows Media Videodownloads was closed in July 2009.[49][50]

The desktop client offered programming from other broadcasters such asFX[51]andNational Geographic[52]as well as movies from20th Century Fox.[53]ADownload To Own(DTO) or "Buy" feature was also available on selected content, allowing users to purchase a programme and keep it for as long as they wish.

On 17 December 2012, Channel 4 andMicrosoftreleased a dedicated All 4 application forWindows 8.[54]The move saw Channel 4 become the first major UK broadcaster to support the operating system with a native app.[54]

Exclusive programming[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"4 On Demand".Channel 4.Archivedfrom the original on 1 July 2011.Retrieved5 August2011.
  2. ^ab"Terms of use".Channel 4.4 February 2019.Retrieved4 February2020.
  3. ^ab"Channel 4 Launches 4oD Video-On-Demand Service".Channel 4.16 November 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 25 October 2012.
  4. ^ab"What content can I find on 4oD?".Channel 4.Retrieved5 August2011.
  5. ^Clover, Julian (3 March 2017)."Mandatory sign-in for All4 content".Broadband TV News.
  6. ^"All 4+".Channel 4.Retrieved4 February2020.
  7. ^"Channel 4 to launch revamped 4oD on web".Digital Spy.25 August 2011.Retrieved25 August2011.
  8. ^"Channel 4 Trades in 4OD for 'All 4' Rebrand, New Apps and Timed O2 Programme Exclusives".Gizmodo.30 March 2015.Retrieved30 March2015.
  9. ^"Channel 4 relaunches All 4 with a new visual identity, new iOS app and a trial ad-free service | Channel 4".channel4.Retrieved3 March2019.
  10. ^"Channel 4 transforms brand to help viewers navigate crowded digital world | Channel 4".channel4.Retrieved2 November2022.
  11. ^"Can I use 4oD using Mac and Linux?".Channel 4.Retrieved6 August2011.
  12. ^"Can I watch 4oD in another country?".Channel 4.Retrieved6 August2011.
  13. ^"Channel 4 gets personal with 4oD relaunch".TechRadar. 25 August 2011.Retrieved25 August2011.
  14. ^"Channel 4 is set to relaunch 4oD, its video-on-demand service".TNW UK. 25 August 2011.Retrieved25 August2011.
  15. ^"Amazon's LOVEFiLM and 4oD announce new content deal".Channel 4.21 January 2013.Retrieved23 January2013.
  16. ^"The Inbetweeners".netflix.Retrieved23 June2013.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^"Father Ted".netflix.Retrieved23 June2013.[permanent dead link]
  18. ^"The IT Crowd".netflix.Retrieved23 June2013.[permanent dead link]
  19. ^Farber, Alex (7 January 2014)."C4 removes all shows from YouTube".Broadcast.Retrieved7 January2014.(subscription required)
  20. ^"Channel 4 and YouTube strike pioneering content and commercial partnership | Channel 4".channel4.Retrieved23 May2022.
  21. ^"Buffy the Vampire Slayer Free to Stream in the UK on All4 from June".Den of Geek. 20 May 2020.Retrieved1 November2020.
  22. ^"Buffy spin-off Angel is returning to UK TV – here's how to watch".Digital Spy.2 September 2020.Retrieved1 November2020.
  23. ^"Malcolm in the Middle coming to UK streaming next month – here's how to watch".Digital Spy.16 September 2020.Retrieved1 November2020.
  24. ^"Channel 4 to rebrand All4 player as simply 'Channel 4'".Radio Times.Retrieved17 November2022.
  25. ^"Channel 4 to rebrand All4 to just 'Channel 4'".uk.news.yahoo.2 November 2022.Retrieved17 November2022.
  26. ^Chambers, Jo (5 February 2013)."4oD Review".Eye on Demand. Archived fromthe originalon 27 April 2013.Retrieved22 March2013.
  27. ^"Channel 4 launches 4oD on Freesat's FreeTime".Recombu. 27 June 2013.
  28. ^"All4 and 4HD to leave Freesat".Freesat.20 February 2018.Retrieved20 February2018.
  29. ^"Sky adds Channel 4's 4oD to create the UK's most complete catch-up TV service".BSkyB. 15 March 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 18 March 2013.Retrieved16 March2013.
  30. ^Thomson, Stuart (12 June 2020)."Virgin Media takes STV nationwide and adds All 4".Digital TV Europe.Archivedfrom the original on 15 June 2020.Retrieved25 January2021.
  31. ^"Virgin to show Channel 4 content in HD".Digital Spy.8 October 2007.Retrieved11 August2011.
  32. ^"Humax YouView DTR-T1000 review".Expert Reviews. 24 July 2012.
  33. ^"What is 4oD".PlayStation.Archived fromthe originalon 26 August 2011.Retrieved6 August2011.
  34. ^"4oD to Launch on PlayStation 3".Channel 4.Retrieved7 August2011.
  35. ^Langshaw, Mark (25 June 2013)."Channel 4 to launch revamped 4oD on web".Digital Spy.Retrieved25 June2013.
  36. ^Staff, P. S. U."All PS5 Apps, Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max, Spotify Twitch, YouTube, Peacock More".PlayStation Universe.Retrieved26 October2022.
  37. ^"Xbox 360 Teams Up With Entertainment Leaders to Transform TV".Microsoft. 5 October 2011.Retrieved7 October2011.
  38. ^"Xbox 360 to launch new TV and film services".The Daily Telegraph.7 October 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 12 January 2022.Retrieved7 October2011.
  39. ^"Why do I need Xbox Gold Membership to watch 4oD?".Channel 4.Retrieved9 January2012.
  40. ^"Xbox LIVE gets 4oD, Demand 5 in new update".TechRadar. 21 December 2011.Retrieved30 December2011.
  41. ^"4oD to be available on the new Xbox One".Channel 4.8 November 2013.Retrieved22 June2014.
  42. ^ab"FAQ Main".Channel 4.Retrieved4 February2020.
  43. ^"4oD Catch up Launches on iPad".Channel 4.28 April 2011.Retrieved7 August2011.
  44. ^"4oD Catch Up By Channel 4".Apple.Retrieved7 August2011.
  45. ^"News | Channel 4".
  46. ^"Channel 4 bringing 4oD to iPhone next month".Digital Spy.2 September 2011.Retrieved2 September2011.
  47. ^"Official 4oD app streams on to Windows Phone to help you never miss another show".Windows Central.13 November 2013.
  48. ^"4oD catch up on the web goes live".Digital Spy.2 April 2009.Retrieved11 August2011.
  49. ^"All 4oD content moves to web".Digital Spy.8 June 2009.Retrieved11 August2011.
  50. ^"No more WMV downloads from 4oD".Digital Spy.22 June 2009.Retrieved11 August2011.
  51. ^"4oD agrees rights deal with FX".Digital Spy.26 October 2007.Retrieved11 August2011.
  52. ^"Channel 4 signs VoD deal with Nat Geo".Digital Spy.8 June 2007.Retrieved11 August2011.
  53. ^"4oD to carry 20th Century Fox films".Digital Spy.7 November 2007.Retrieved11 August2011.
  54. ^abLangshaw, Mark (17 December 2012)."Windows 8 gets 4oD application".Digital Spy.Retrieved19 December2012.

External links[edit]

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