ABC iView plays with PlayStation®3 in Australia

ABC TV and Sony Computer Entertainment Australia (SCE Aust.) are collaborating on a trial to deliver ABC iView via the PlayStation®3 (PS3) game console.

When the trial launches later this year, it will mean people in Australia who have a PS3 will be able to watch ABC iView optimised on their TV through the PS3 via the PlayStation®Network (PSN), the company’s online content and service platform. ABC iView is a free internet broadcasting service that offers a range of ABC TV programs streamed in high resolution.

ABC’s Director of Television, Kim Dalton, says the trial is the first in a series of developments to extend ABC iView to a wider audience. “We want to make our content as accessible as possible to our audience. Increasingly, that means extending our online reach so Australians can watch what they want, when they want it. Today’s gaming consoles, televisions and dvd players all have internet capability and we’re excited to be able to team up with Sony Playstation, as the first step in integrating ABC TV content into new online platforms and technologies.”

Managing Director Sony Computer Entertainment Australia (SCE Aust.), Michael Ephraim, says “PlayStation 3 is truly the ultimate entertainment device for consumers which goes far beyond just fantastic video games. Our announcement with ABC shows that PlayStation 3 remains on the cutting edge of delivering expanded entertainment services both globally and locally.”

SCE Aust. announced the initiative with ABC TV and other key broadcasters at a Games Convention in Cologne, Germany today. The trial is part of plans to extend the entertainment functionality of the PS3 console to include optimised catch up TV as part of the offer. The PS3 has an internet-enabled browser and video playback function that allows its users to play videos while navigating options with the PS3 game controller.

ABC iView currently has over 300 programs available on demand. In July 2009, iView averaged 764,000 visits, with 47% of users visiting more than once.

The agreement between ABC TV and Sony is non-exclusive. ABC TV is currently in discussions with a number of other companies about making ABC iView accessible on other platforms.

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