Its very interesting how catch up TV properties are viewed (or not viewed) in Australia.

If a program is to be aired on the ABC and a user feels that he/she will miss this program they will often state “I’ll watch in on iView ”.

This is because the ABC invested early in the iView platform which enables users to watch almost anything shown on the ABC. Its a system available online, iphone, ipad, Android, Xbox, WD TV etc and it just works and works well.

In contrast the commercial channels have also finally offered catch up services but have done little to make it known that they exist.

If users are faced with the desire to watch two programs that happen to on at the same time on competing commercial networks they will often look at ways to watch one and record the other (for later viewing) either using a PVR or Foxtel IQ. In fact its already known that many opt for Foxtel because of the sports content but it would be interesting to ascertain how many opt for Foxtel for the IQ function, that is, the ability to record.

Many don’t consider the commercial catch up services because its just not widespread enough that they exist or that they offer the service without asking for anything in return, like subscription fees or membership.