UAE viewers can now tune into Internet TV

Call it the evolution of the digital environment or a move that simply puts the power in the hands of the people; whatever the tag, television viewing across the UAE will undergo a transformation from today as internet TV makes it way on to our homes.

OSN Play, an innovative concept to launch via the OSN platform, will allow subscribers to access premium content – including the latest Hollywood blockbusters and TV shows – over the internet, anywhere in the world.

The five phase roll out will kick off today with streaming content making its way to PCs and Macs, following which, viewers could access their favourite entertainment programmes over IOS and Android tablets, Smart TVs, Smart Phones and Gaming consoles by Q4 2012.

Speaking to the media, OSN CEO David Butorac said: “Internet TV is a reality that has come about with the development in digimedia today. Through extensive research, we have concluded that people in this region are demanding access to their favourite programming content via mobile devices, OSN Play fulfils this market demand.”

The research that was concluded via a market sample of approximately 4,000 subscribers, the company concluded that 40 per cent of its consumers want to access TV on their laptops, while a further 38 per cent want to use their tablet device, such as the iPad to view streaming shows.

An additional 19 per cent would like to watch their favourite movies over their mobile phones.

“Nearly 78 per cent of viewers are demanding premium programming on mobile devices, which is where OSN Play provides to our subscribers,” he said.

Those on the OSN Platform will have free access to OSN Play free of cost; meanwhile, the company stated that those who have subscribed through telecoms etisalat and du will have to wait while details are further ironed out in this regards; however, those interested are unable to simply subscribe to the online service via bypassing the broadcast medium.

Explaining the concept further, Emad Morcos, Vice President of Business Development and Strategy, OSN, said: “This concept goes beyond the mass appeal of the broadcast medium and is designed specifically for the individual household.”

He explained that the company has partnered with all the major Hollywood and TV studios, including Warner Bros, Fox and Disney, to provide a host of exclusive films and shows that other local platforms may still not have the rights for.

“We are the only place where you can see shows such as season three of “Cougar Town” or the first season of “The River”, while movies such as “Cars 2” and “Black Swan” are also available,” he explained.

Online content is limited to English and Arabic thus far, with strict parental control still in practice to allow different settings to be put in place across different platforms.

Said Butorac: “If you are opting for linear viewing of our shows over broadcast, your parental control is open across content, while another platform can have limited access depending on your preference.”

Over two devices can be registered under a single subscription.

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