Hot on the heels of Foxtel’s Hubbl, Australia’s first entertainment search and guide software application, Searchr.TV, has launched.
The software helps users sort and access their content in one app and aggregates all five free-to-air and 10 local and international paid streaming providers in one software application. No hardware needs to be plugged in.
The app has also integrated LeadStory, which includes 16 global publishers providing breaking news content and dedicated sports and kids zones in one interface.
The software includes movies, TV shows, and news and sports content with IMDb user ratings. It is currently available on all devices, including mobile phones, tablets, and computers, through all browsers and is on TVs using the Google Play application and Google Chromecast.
The company is touting the software as a TV-led application, with Android variations for LG and Hisense, Samsung Tizen, and Apple TV variations currently in development.
Tim Wheeler, managing director at Searchr.TV, said that while the company started out as a TV platform, it has evolved to include all mobile devices and laptops and computers, across all browsers.
“Searchr.TV solves the problem of knowing where to watch certain TV shows and movies across the many free-to-air broadcasters and content providers. However, as the entertainment landscape evolves, so do customers’ expectations,” he said.
“Through our partnership with LeadStory, there are 16 news publishers, a dedicated sports zone, and we are building an audio proposition to listen to podcasts, music, and your favourite radio stations.
“Our wide range of search filters sets us apart from our competitors. At the end of the day, when you are tired with only 1.5 hours to watch something with a user rating greater than 8, Searchr.TV will serve up the options and is a key point of difference, we take the hard work of searching away from the user.”
Searchr.TV said it actively promotes and highlights Australian-produced content and will contribute a percentage back to the Australian media landscape.
“With a diverse library of movies, TV shows, and dedicated sports, news, and kids’ zones, we’ve got something for everyone, and it’s all in one place. Beyond convenience, we’re fostering a sense of culture and community, allowing you to discover new content tailored to you and share suggestions with friends,” Wheeler said.
The application is available now and costs $2.50 per month.
The launch of Searchr.TV comes as Foxtel’s CEO Patrick Delany told a Senate committee considering proposed prominence laws that the company’s new streaming box, Hubbl, gives free-to-air networks prominence, without compromising or interfering with consumers’ choice.
Foxtel supports the bill, which is designed to ensure that FTA channels are easy for audiences to find on smart TVs, but disagrees with the legislation mandating that certain apps appear higher than others, either in search results, or on the home screen.
See also: Hubbl already gives FTA prominence: Patrick Delany