2014-12-21

iOS Users Get New TV Content Thanks to Fox and DirecTV

DirecTV announces partnership with Fox Networks

Thanks to a partnership with Fox Networks, DirecTV customers wielding Apple devices now have access to FOX NOW, FXNOW, and Nat Geo TV apps, as part of Fox’s TV Everywhere services.

DirecTV Everywhere allows customers to watch content from anywhere, including outside of their home on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. DirecTV Everywhere offers streaming as well as live TV, on-demand shows, and movies.

All you can watch

Feeds for FX, FXX, FS1, FS2, National Geographic Channel, and Nat Geo WILD will become available for out-of-home streaming on DirecTV Everywhere. iOS and Apple TV users stand to gain immensely from this deal.

As part of the agreement with Fox Networks, DirecTV will offer 50 live streaming channels on its DirecTV Everywhere platform, with on-demand content from over 60 networks and live linear streams from more than 100 networks. DirecTV will also launch VOD content from all Fox networks on DirecTV Everywhere starting in Q1 2015.

Customers are being promised a true TV Everywhere experience with the addition of DirecTV, FOX NOW, FXNOW, and Nat Geo TV. The lineup doesn’t affect the traditional on-demand offerings, including full episodes of FOX, FX, FXX, National Geographic Channel, and Nat Geo WILD series which are now available via the web, iOS apps, and Apple TV.

Dan York, chief content officer, DirecTV, said, “Adding Fox's national networks to our out-of-home streaming lineup gives our customers even more of their favorite programming in a seamless and consistent way, across as many platforms as possible. Aligning with programming partners like Fox to continue delivering high-quality content in ways that fit our customers' lifestyles is what makes DirecTV's television viewing experience the best in the industry.”

FOX NOW and FXNOW

For the past two years, FOX NOW has been offering full episodes of FOX shows like Gotham, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Family Guy, Sleepy Hollow, MasterChef Junior, and Bones, with nearly 20 million downloads generated so far. The service runs on iPhone, iPad, Android devices, Kindle Fire, Windows platforms, Roku, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Samsung Smart TVs and, of course, the Apple TV.

FXNOW packs full episodes and feature films aired by FX, FXX, and FXM, including titles like Sons of Anarchy, American Horror Story: Freak Show, The League, The Simpsons, and others, and is available on all of the aforementioned platforms.

“We’re pleased to provide additional value to DirecTV and its subscribers,” said Michael Biard, president, distribution, Fox Networks. “As more and more viewers seek to access our networks on an array of devices and platforms, it’s crucial we meet their expectations with innovative ways to engage with our programming where they want and when they want.”

Press Release

Spoiler

FOX's TV Everywhere Content Now Available to More Than 20 Million DIRECTV Customers Nationwide

DIRECTV Customers Now Have Access to FOX NOW, FXNOW, Nat Geo TV Websites and Mobile Apps

DIRECTV Everywhere Now Offers Out-of-Home Streaming for Fox National Networks

More Than 80% of Pay TV Customers Can Now Access Full Episodes of FOX, FX and Nat Geo Series on the Web and Mobile Devices

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fox Networks and DIRECTV are giving viewers even more ways to access their favorite shows starting this holiday season. DIRECTV's more than 20 million customers now have access to FOX NOW, FXNOW and Nat Geo TV apps, the networks’ TV Everywhere services. In addition, DIRECTV will make the feeds of FX, FXX, FS1, FS2, National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo WILD available for out-of-home streaming on the DIRECTV Everywhere platform.

With the launch of the Fox national networks, DIRECTV will now deliver 50 out-of-home live streaming channels on its DIRECTV Everywhere platform, which currently offers On Demand content from over 60 networks and live linear streams of more than 100 networks. Beginning in Q1 2015, DIRECTV will also launch VOD content from all Fox networks on DIRECTV Everywhere.

With the addition of DIRECTV, FOX NOW, FXNOW and Nat Geo TV offer a true TV Everywhere experience to the overwhelming majority of US pay-TV customers. In addition to traditional On Demand via the set top box, full episodes of FOX, FX, FXX, National Geographic Channel, and Nat Geo WILD series are now available to more than 80% of U.S. pay-TV customers via the web and apps on the latest iOS, Android and Windows mobile devices.

“We’re pleased to provide additional value to DIRECTV and its subscribers,” said Michael Biard, president, distribution, Fox Networks. “As more and more viewers seek to access our networks on an array of devices and platforms, it’s crucial we meet their expectations with innovative ways to engage with our programming where they want and when they want.”

“Adding Fox's national networks to our out-of-home streaming lineup gives our customers even more of their favorite programming in a seamless and consistent way, across as many platforms as possible,” said Dan York, chief content officer, DIRECTV. “Aligning with programming partners like Fox to continue delivering high-quality content in ways that fit our customers' lifestyles is what makes DIRECTV's television viewing experience the best in the industry.”

Launched in 2012, FOX NOW allows fans to watch full episodes and connect to their favorite FOX shows, including hit shows Gotham, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Family Guy, Sleepy Hollow, MasterChef Junior and Bones, whenever and wherever they want the very next morning after they air. In addition, for the majority of FOX shows, FOX NOW offers the entire current season, allowing pay TV customers to catch up on many of this season’s FOX favorites from the very beginning. To date, FOX NOW has generated nearly 20 million downloads – up from five million a year ago – and is now accessible across hundreds of digital devices, including iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Kindle Fire, Windows 8.1 tablets and Windows Phones, Apple TV, Roku, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Samsung Smart TVs and Blu-ray Players. For more information on FOX NOW, visit http://foxnow.com.

FXNOW, which launched in 2013, gives fans on-demand access to full episodes and feature films from the deep catalog of FX Networks’ suite of channels – FX, FXX and FXM. Full episodes of current original series are available for Sons of Anarchy,American Horror Story: Freak Show and The League. FXNOW is also the exclusive non-linear home for all 25 past seasons of The Simpsons - currently a stunning 561 episodes. FXNOW is also accessible on iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Xbox One, Xbox 360, AppleTV, Samsung Smart TVs, and starting this month Roku. The FXNOW App is available to download for free on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. FXNOW is also available on the Internet via FXNetworks.com. For more information on FXNOW and a complete list of providers, visit http://www.fxnetworks.com/apps.

Nat Geo TV allows fans to watch their favorite National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo WILD shows on the go. Full episodes of fan favorites such as Life Below Zero, Wicked Tuna, The Incredible Dr. Pol and more are currently available at natgeotv.com and through popular connected devices like iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Xbox 360, Samsung TVs and starting this month, Roku. For more information on Nat Geo TV, visit www.natgeotv.com/TVEverywhere.

DIRECTV Everywhere allows DIRECTV customers to watch DIRECTV content from anywhere, whether in or outside of their home on their TV, laptop, tablet, or cell phone. DIRECTV Everywhere includes access to all content that is available to stream, including live TV, On Demand shows and movies, (including basic and premium content). For more information on DIRECTV Everywhere, visit www.directv.com/entertainment.

About Fox Networks

Fox Networks is a unit of Fox Networks Group (FNG) and includes 44 owned-and-operated and joint venture TV networks, video on demand and other media platforms. Together these networks reach more than 700 million television homes and represent one of the media industry’s largest and most diverse programming groups. Fox Networks distributes FX, FXX, FXM, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo Mundo, FSN and 22 regional sports networks, FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2, FOX Soccer Plus, FOX College Sports, FOX Deportes, FOX Life, Baby TV and BTN (co-venture with the Big Ten Conference), in addition to the digital extensions BTN2Go, FOX Sports GO, FOX Soccer 2 Go, FXNOW, and Nat Geo TV. FNG also includes the Fox Broadcasting Company and its digital extension FOX NOW, MundoFox, FOX International Channels, and Fox Sports Enterprises, which manages the company’s interests in sports franchises.

About DIRECTV

DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is one of the world’s leading providers of digital television entertainment services delivering a premium video experience through state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming and industry leading customer service to more than 39 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its over 20 million customers access to more than 195 HD channels and Dolby-Digital® 5.1 theater-quality sound, access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, Emmy-award winning technology and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for 13 years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to more than 19 million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include two Regional Sports Networks (Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh), and minority ownership interests in Root Sports Northwest and Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit www.directv.com.

Original Article http://news.softpedia.com/news/iOS-Users-Get-New-TV-Content-Thanks-to-Fox-and-DirecTV-468026.shtml

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