A few days ago, the linear channel Darmowy Kanal Filmowy was visible on the TVP VOD website. Its EPG included, among others: the film “Filip”. We asked TVP whether these were tests of the new FAST channel. Many projects of this kind have been launched recently by: TVN Warner Bros. Discovery, Wirtualna Polska, Rakuten TV and ZPR Media. The public broadcaster has not ruled out the launch of free streaming stations, namely FAST. The company has an extensive archive of popular productions that could work well in this format.
– We will make decisions regarding the possible launch of FAST channels in accordance with the programming needs of Telewizja Polska. Currently, all of our channels are available on TVP VOD. In August of this year we implemented a new update functionality for live channels (the ability to roll back program items within 7 days). The film “Filip” was available in the application as part of the online streaming of the TVP1 channel. We broadcast it in connection with the 85th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War and displayed it in the application to facilitate users’ quick access to this excellent production – informs Wirtualnemedia.pl, TVP’s Corporate Communications Department.
How to rewind TVP channels?
The introduction of catch up TV in TVP VOD went somewhat unnoticed. Perhaps this is due to the lack of this function on Smart TVs. On Android TV devices, you can find information that the last update of the application took place in March, a few months before the introduction of the ability to rewind channels. Owners of Smart TVs and set-top boxes will have to wait for the TV update until early next year.
– As per the schedule, the live channel catch-up functionality will also be implemented on TVP VOD in the coming months. The TVP VOD app is available on computers, mobile devices and Smart TV devices – TVP announced in March.
Currently, terrestrial receivers with HbbTV-compatible TVs or set-top boxes connected to the network can use the TVP Go app, which comes equipped with catch up TV. However, rewinding Polish TV programs does not work properly on many devices. So all you have to do is play on your computer or smartphone.
It is possible to play the broadcasted program on a TV or Android TV set-top box on the same Wi-Fi network as a smartphone with the TVP VOD (Chromecast) app. However, the sharing icon (in the top right corner) is not available in all software items – probably for licensing reasons. The transfer takes place via phone.
Catch up TV is offered by streaming services that compete with TV channels. In the case of the Player, it is 7 days, but the package with this tool is no longer offered to new subscribers. They can only buy the TV Channels and Sports package on the Max website, where most broadcasters can only go back to the beginning of the broadcast, and terrestrial ones (TVN, TVN7, TTV and Metro) cannot be reversed in any way. On Canal + online, catch up TV covers almost 8 hours, and on Polsat Box Go it covers approximately 3.5 hours. Cable networks and telecom operators also offer the option to rewind selected channels. However, this varies depending on the station.
