ABC TV to Bow Live Streaming App

13 May, 2013 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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The Disney-owned network in 2006 was first to offer ABC programming online after initial broadcast

Disney/ABC Television Group this week is set to launch an app that would, for the first time, allow authenticated viewers to stream live local affiliate and network programming on the iPhone and iPad.

The TV Everywhere platform is the first by a major broadcaster to enable multichannel video program distributors’ subscribers to view content on a connected device in and out of the home.

Originally slated to launch in 2014, the app was expedited in part due to the burgeoning success of subscription video-on-demand services such as Netflix and the HBO Go platform, as well as over-the-air digital broadcaster Aereo.

First reported May 12 by , the launch was confirmed in a same-day email from upLynk, a video streaming technology provider. The company in January announced it had partnered with Disney/ABC to enable delivery of the latter’s video content across multiple platforms.

“We did not expect the news to break this early,” said upLynk representative Emilee McConkie, who added the live linear ABC affiliate streams would feature proprietary ad and content to help monetize the TV Everywhere.

Anne Sweeney, president of the Disney-ABC Television Group, told the Times the app reflects the changing way people consume TV in a digital age.

“We watch how people are behaving with their devices, and we really felt that we needed to move faster,” she said.

The upLynk platform is currently used to manage video encoding and delivery of content for Web, mobile and tablet apps for the ABC Player, ABC Family and Watch Disney apps, including Watch Disney Channel, Watch Disney Junior and Watch Disney XD.

“By using a single, non-proprietary adaptive streaming format across all major devices and platforms, upLynk delivers a simpler, more scalable solution than traditional methods, while significantly reducing costs,” co-founder Ken Brueck said in a January statement.

 

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