PBS announced today it has extended availability of its popular video app to the Android platform for the first time. The PBS app for Android provides access to hundreds of hours of video from PBS and member stations, including episodes from new primetime programs as well as the PBS archives, with new national and local station content updated daily. In addition, the app offers dozens of web-original videos from the award-winning PBS Digital Studios. The new app, and the previously released iOS app, are now both compatible with Chromecast.
Through enhanced station integration and an improved localization feature, app users can identify their local PBS member station to gain access to favorite locally produced shows alongside national offerings, see customized menus and obtain up-to-date program guide information. Users can also support their local PBS station through a built-in donation page within the app.
The app can be personalized by creating a profile that enables users to transfer their unique PBS experience from device to device. Users utilizing the sign-in feature can create a personalized watch playlist, bookmark favorite programs and continue viewing programs already in progress on web, mobile and over-the-top platforms. The app is powered by Brightcove's SDK which ensures smooth video playback across all versions of the Android operating system, greater app stability and a better overall user experience.
“With more than 21.2 million downloads of PBS apps to date, we know there is tremendous demand for PBS content across a wide range of devices and platforms,” said Ira Rubenstein, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Digital, PBS. “Given the success of our PBS iOS app, it was important for us to extend the reach of our world-class content to Android to reach the vast majority of mobile devices and adding Chromecast support brings both iOS and Android users additional options. Viewers can tune in to favorite PBS programming on their local PBS stations and on digital platforms to enjoy the shows they love where, when and how they want them.”*
Chromecast offers users an easy way to enjoy video from the PBS App on their television screens. To start streaming, users simply plug Chromecast into their TV, connect it to WiFi, and then press the PBS App’s cast icon to start watching.
The Android version of the PBS app is available for free on Google Play:http://to.pbs.org/1JH0d2e.
The app is part of PBS’ strategy to provide content from PBS and member stations across a variety of platforms. In addition to PBS apps for iOS and Android devices, PBS content can be found via station-branded digital platforms including Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire TV and XBox 360; via services including iTunes, Netflix and Amazon Instant Video; as well as on PBS.org and member station websites. For more information, visit pbs.org/anywhere.