Australia gets free EPG at last!

Adam Turner
Friday, 16 November 2007 07:22

Your IT - Entertainment

All three commercial networks have committed to introducing new programming on their high definition channels by the end of the year. Seven was the first to embrak on multi-channelling, but failed to warn viewers first and has since created major headaches for viewers attempting to follow its programming schedule. Surprisingly, Seven will be the last network to launch a full EPG.

The original Free TV Australia EPG announcement was designed to pave the way for Seven's release of the iconic TiVo personal video recorder into the Australian market next year. While an EPG is an essential component of the TiVO service, Seven has confirmed that Australian TiVo users will be barred from skipping advertisements.

The release of a free, unencrypted EPG in light of the IceTV victory helps level the playing field for Australian PVRs - as now almost every digital television recorder on sale in Australia will have access to a full EPG, including those that let watchers skip advertisements.

The announcement also threatens the business model of IceTV, which currently charges $99 for a service that the networks are about to give away for free.

* UPDATE: No EPG for you! Australian EPG still locked down under secret deal