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Channel 4 has been an early innovator in the Video on Demand (VoD) space and continues to strive to make their great programmes available where, when and on whatever device is most convenient to the viewer. There were a number of technical challenges to deliver an application across iPhones, iPads and numerous Android devices. This required considerable innovation, ingenuity and high quality development skills. Piksel's depth of technical experience in VoD helped us overcome these challenges and deliver a complex project in a short timeframe, producing excellent results. The Download project on 4oD fits closely with our core strategy of producing products that have the viewer's needs at the very center," said Kevin Gallagher, CIO from Channel 4.With Piksel's expertise, Channel 4 has become the first UK broadcaster to offer free offline mobile catch up television content on both iOS and Android devices with advancements to the 4oD app.
"Free download and catch up for 4oD users to watch their favorite Channel 4 shows, anywhere at any time is a significant step towards the new frontier of viewing. It's a first for any UK commercial broadcaster and we are thrilled to continue to work with Channel 4 on innovative and cutting edge services that support their viewer engagement strategy and extend their commercial reach. The 4oD mobile download feature is just one example where Piksel people have been able to help our customers disrupt the old models of television and speak directly to a young, engaged audience looking for flexibility in their television viewership," said Mark Christie, Chief Technology Officer at Piksel.
Piksel's combination of technical expertise, cutting edge UX design and smart professional services enabled Channel 4 to deliver their content to a whole new audience with multi-screen internet TV. The new 4oD with Download has been very well-received. In the first 24 hours of launch there were in excess of 5,000 new iOS app downloads from Apple's App Store and over 1.25 million app updates. These numbers continue to grow, along with strong Android downloads from Google Play.
In addition to Download, the app includes a Collections feature and various other enhancements. Collections allow Channel 4's content editors to link episodes together by theme or subject matter to enable creative programming.
"Piksel People are problem solvers by nature -- we take the complex challenges facing our customers, break them down, and find a way forward," concluded Mr. Christie.
4oD has been shortlisted for 'Best TV App' at the 2014 TV Connect Awards, with the winner to be announced on March 19, 2014. Take a closer look at 4oD with a personal demonstration at TV Connect (London, March 18-20, 2014) or watching the on-stage demonstration of Channel 4's multi-screen eco-system at CABSAT (Dubai, March 11, 2014 at 12:30pm).
About Piksel
We help the world's leading brands maximize their reach and return with video.
Comprised of a global team of experts we call "televisionaries," Piksel has helped to design, build, and manage online video services for major media companies like AT&T, BSkyB, Celcom, Mediaset, Sky Deutschland and Televisa, as well as enterprise brands like Airbus, Barnes & Noble, and Volkswagen.
Headquartered in New York City, Piksel offices can be found throughout Europe and the Americas, serving more than 1,600 clients in over 50 countries.
Follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/piksel
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