BBC World News has extended its BBC World News app, which allows users of the iPhone and iPod Touch to watch the channel live on their Apple devices over Wi-Fi and 3G networks, to fifteen new countries, including Australia and New Zealand.
The application, which is available to download directly from the Apple iTunes Store, is now available in Australia, New Zealand, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Turkey. The app is also available in sixteen other European countries and territories.
The BBC World News app enables its users to access a live feed of the channel anywhere in the world, subject to network availability.
In addition to widening the app s distribution, BBC World News is also introducing a new pricing structure, based on Apple's new in-app purchase system. This allows users to purchase the desired period of time during which they wish to watch the channel live. The channel is also hoping to extend the app to further countries and territories in the near future.
The BBC World News app has been produced together with online TV specialist Livestation. One-click access to the BBC s mobile news site is also included in the app, giving users fast access to all the latest international news and sport.
Jim Egan, Director of Strategy and Business Development at BBC Global News, says: Ever since the app first launched we ve been keen to extend it to Australia and New Zealand, which are key territories for us as a channel. I m delighted that we ve now managed to deliver this for our viewers there, as well as across many new countries in Europe. It s a complete on-demand international news service, accessible around the world, with broadcast quality TV news backed by the BBC s mobile news services."
Matteo Berlucchi, CEO of Livestation, says: "This app takes mobile TV to the next level, and really does put BBC World News in users pockets. The screen clarity and the depth of features make this an essential purchase for iPhone and iPod Touch users who want to keep up with the very latest news and sport."