ITV shifts digital service to Hub

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There will be some new ways to enjoy its output too, with support for Amazon Fire TV and the Freeview Play connected catch-up TV service built in, with live streaming and a “TV-like experience” central to the concept.

United Kingdom TV giant ITV will consolidate its web site, which offers video content, and its VOD service ITV Player into a single digital hub focused on live streaming of its TV networks, as well as on-demand content.

Paul Kanareck, ITV’s director of online, said that the demand for VOD “has come of age”, noting the Player service saw more than 11 million registered users a year ago. In addition to its considerable interests in linear television including ITV1, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4, CITV and ITVBe, ITV has spent the previous year investing in emerging digital content brands.

Which is all well and good, but the real news is that Family Guy will also be available via ITV Hub – the first time a public service broadcaster has had catchup rights to the still vaguely amusing cartoon show.

The ITV Hub will also feature new branding that was created by ITV’s in-house agency, ITV Creative.

Rufus Radcliffe, ITV’s group marketing director, said in a statement the new Hub service will present all of ITV’s channels and services “front and center with a distinct, digital look and feel building off the success of ITV’s rebrand”. “We are looking forward to fully unveiling it later this autumn”.