Freeview has reported 5.14 million Australians – the highest-ever number – are streaming free video on demand (FVOD) content, eclipsing 3.53 million for subscription video on demand (SVOD) according to Nielsen data.
Freeview added content across tenplay, 9Now, PLUS7, ABC iview and SBS on Demand has driven the increase, particularly Seven Network’s My Kitchen Rules, Nine Network’s Married at First Sight, Network Ten’s Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, SBS’s Vikings, and ABC iview’s Newton’s Law.
Freeview CEO Elizabeth Ross said people are increasingly focused on convenience and flexibility and how they watch TV is no exception. “We’ve seen a big appetite for our streaming products that give viewers access to the best of TV, for free, on whatever device they choose.
“This time 10 years ago, Australian viewers only had access to five free-to-air channels, whereas today we have more than 25. TV is everywhere and any time, and with streaming services supplementing traditional TV viewing, it looks certain that we have entered a golden era of TV.”