The video on-demand services offered by ITV and Channel 4 will reportedly launch on Sony's PlayStation 3 console this week, joining the already-available BBC iPlayer.
Officially announced in August, an ITV Player icon will soon become available on the PS3's navigational menu, offering users the chance to catch up on shows such as Coronation Street and The X Factor.
The service, which will be funded by pre, mid and post-roll advertising, is part of ITV's new strategy to bring ITV Player to platforms beyond ITV.com, including games consoles, connected TVs and mobile devices.
Speaking to The Guardian, ITV.com managing director Robin Pembroke said that the PS3 launch will mark an "acceleration of our distribution strategy". He added: "As awareness of ITV Player grows, so will consumption of ITV's content on-demand."
Sony claims there are around 4m PS3s in the UK, with around 80% of those being connected to the internet using the PlayStation Network. BBC iPlayer is already available on the device, along with other web services such as LoveFilm.
Joining ITV Player on the PS3 this week will be Channel 4's 4OD service, offering users the chance to catch up on The Inbetweeners, Misfits and Hollyoaks.
Sarah Rose, director of commercial business development at Channel 4, said that games consoles are rapidly moving into the entertainment space and the PS3 is well suited to the broadcaster's target audience.
"[Consoles] are much bigger now and moving into the entertainment space, plus it sits well with our 16- to 34-year-old audience strengths," Rose said.
Rose denied that the PS3 launch would take traffic away from the online version of 4OD and also confirmed that Channel 4 was "not saying no" to a launch on Microsoft's Xbox 360.
However, she said that Microsoft was "not coming to our door" about a deal for 4OD, while the Nintendo Wii - which offers BBC iPlayer - was unsuitable as it does not have the facility to support advertising.
Digital TV - News - ITV Player, 4OD coming to Sony's PS3 - Digital Spy
Officially announced in August, an ITV Player icon will soon become available on the PS3's navigational menu, offering users the chance to catch up on shows such as Coronation Street and The X Factor.
The service, which will be funded by pre, mid and post-roll advertising, is part of ITV's new strategy to bring ITV Player to platforms beyond ITV.com, including games consoles, connected TVs and mobile devices.
Speaking to The Guardian, ITV.com managing director Robin Pembroke said that the PS3 launch will mark an "acceleration of our distribution strategy". He added: "As awareness of ITV Player grows, so will consumption of ITV's content on-demand."
Sony claims there are around 4m PS3s in the UK, with around 80% of those being connected to the internet using the PlayStation Network. BBC iPlayer is already available on the device, along with other web services such as LoveFilm.
Joining ITV Player on the PS3 this week will be Channel 4's 4OD service, offering users the chance to catch up on The Inbetweeners, Misfits and Hollyoaks.
Sarah Rose, director of commercial business development at Channel 4, said that games consoles are rapidly moving into the entertainment space and the PS3 is well suited to the broadcaster's target audience.
"[Consoles] are much bigger now and moving into the entertainment space, plus it sits well with our 16- to 34-year-old audience strengths," Rose said.
Rose denied that the PS3 launch would take traffic away from the online version of 4OD and also confirmed that Channel 4 was "not saying no" to a launch on Microsoft's Xbox 360.
However, she said that Microsoft was "not coming to our door" about a deal for 4OD, while the Nintendo Wii - which offers BBC iPlayer - was unsuitable as it does not have the facility to support advertising.
Digital TV - News - ITV Player, 4OD coming to Sony's PS3 - Digital Spy
