4oD on Channel4.com: 6 months in .. taking stock.
4oD has been available on Channel4.com for about 6 months now. It seems a good time to take stock.
One thing is certain: a lot more programmes are being watched by a lot more people than when 4oD was an Application. Nearly three times as many programmes are being watched every month as were last year. That’s obviously pleasing.
But it’s certainly not time to rest on our laurels. People on this blog and elsewhere have been helpful in suggesting what could be improved. Also a few people are still having tecnnical problems. We are listening – here, through the support service, on other people’s blogs and on Twitter. Wherever possible, we’re doing or planning to do the things people are asking for. The simple list of everything on 4oD is a case in point. Following the relaunch, lots of people asked for the old drop-down list of programmes to return. It wasn’t practical because it would have been extremely long now that the Archive shows on 4oD. But the simple list of everything came about as a direct result of this feedback.
As we look ahead, here are some of the major things we’d like to get done:
- Being able to see just the programmes available on 4oD by Category. Right now there are good tag-driven category pages ( e.g. Comedy) but they contain programmes that aren’t on 4oD. That’s because Channel4.com contains information about all Channel 4 programmes – including ones that haven’t been on-air yet and ones we don’t have the on-demand rights for. But we agree it would be helpful to be able to filter by just 4oD.
- Automatically showing when something’s not on 4oD and why. Right now people get very frustrated when something’s not available immediately after transmission. There’s usually a good reason (i.e. we don’t have the rights or it needs a re-edit) but there’s currently no good way to show what that reason is in time to prevent people from feeling disappointed.
- Simplifying the user-journey between programme-related web sites that don’t use the standard programme pages (e.g. Derren Brown’s Events, One Tree Hill (on E4.com) and all the TV show sites inside Food and 4Homes) and their 4oD pages. We’re painfully aware that some people are getting disorientated when finding themselves outside of the standard /programmes area of the site. We may either embed the 4oD player in these sites or else just link more consistently back from them to the right part of the 4oD service. It’s being thought through. In fact we’re spending most of next Tuesday afternoon with flipcharts, marker pens and the results of some recent user testing ringing in our ears.
There’s a list as long as your arm of extra features and services like Resume, RSS feeds, APIs, personalisation, playlists, improved social features and so on and so on. We’re trying hard to get the resources to do as much as we can.
In addition we are – one by one – working hard to resolve any outstanding technical issues still being suffered by a few people.
So – 6 months in – not a bad start. Lots still to do. Thanks for your help and for using the product.
Comments
September 18, 2009
Since 4oD switched to the web version, it’s become my most used catch-up service. It’s mainly the Channel 4 content itself that makes it so good (Peep Show being a personal fav), but the 4oD site makes it really easy to find all that good stuff. It isn’t quite at the level of iPlayer yet, but it’s leaps and bounds ahead of others like Demand Five and ITV Player.
Keep up the good work guys!
P.S. – Email alerts for new episodes is my most wanted feature request. For example if I set a series alert up for Peep Show, i’d get a alert later on tonight once the new episode is available on 4oD.
September 21, 2009
When will previous series of Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives be available through the 4oD service?
September 21, 2009
@EC. Hello. I’m afraid we only have on-demand rights to US Series such as Ugly Betty and Desperate Houswives for 30 days after the first time they’ve been on TV. Sorry about that. You can get DVDs of previous series here: http://bit.ly/wxFAB.
September 22, 2009
Shameless self-promotion, but if anyone is desperate to get lists of on-demand programmes by category they are available at http://tanktop.tv/category/list
September 22, 2009
@Philip And very smart too. Well done with TankTop. I hope next year to be able to make our data easier for you to use.
September 23, 2009
If I could vote for one feature for you to implement before any other it would be RSS feeds. That way, not only could I receive alerts about the shows I’m interested in, I can also then watch channel 4 on my TV…
…via Boxee
To be honest with you, I’ve stopped watching terrestrial TV pretty much all together. I just watch BBC and STV (the Scottish version of ITV) on demand using Boxee. I’m just waiting for the other channels to catch up and release complete RSS feeds or Boxee apps.
September 23, 2009
4od used to be a very good service in the desktop application service but
now that it is a website i have several suggestions for improvement.
1. why does the player work so poorly in comparison to bbc iplayer when my bandwidth is the same for both 4od and iplayer? programmes are very difficult to watch on 4od as they stop all the time, a problem iplayer does not have.
2. when breaking from 4od i.e pausing the programme often starts from the beginning again and includes the advertisements already seen this is very very irritating and makes 4od almost impossible to watch.
3. why does 4od require flash as an active x control to work, iplayer does not and streams better? i don’t get it.
these issues are making it exteremely difficult and tedious to watch 4od which is a shame as the content is awesome, I donl;t get to watch shows on television much as i have a busy life i love catching up via computer, until 4od gets better i will have to watch the BBC
September 24, 2009
Ever since 40d switched to non-download version, it has never loaded on my macbook. Running the latest of everything, including Snow Leopard but still to no avail. Any solutions or reasons as to why this is?
September 24, 2009
@Ben. It’s hard to tell from here. Best thing is to contact Support via http://bit.ly/1Y5i5V .
September 25, 2009
Little disappointed higher quality streams isn’t top of that list. The quality is so poor in comparison to youtube and bbc iplayer
September 25, 2009
@Brandon – You’re right. It’s on the list …
September 25, 2009
@Gawain. Hi. Answers to your questions:
1. why does the player work so poorly in comparison to bbc iplayer when my bandwidth is the same for both 4od and iplayer? programmes are very difficult to watch on 4od as they stop all the time, a problem iplayer does not have.
It’s hard to know for sure what the problem is you’re having as there are so many variables. But some of the difference could be down to basic dissimlarity between iPlayer and 4oD. The key relevant differences are (1) We only encode at one bitrate whereas iPlayer can adapt down (or up) to give you a rate that suits your connection (2) 4oD has to make calls to an ad server (we fund 4oD from ads whereas iPlayer is paid for from the license fee) which adds complexity and (3) We have to encypt all our content as it’s not owned by us; this, again, adds complexity.
2. when breaking from 4od i.e pausing the programme often starts from the beginning again and includes the advertisements already seen this is very very irritating and makes 4od almost impossible to watch.
Yes. We find this annoying too and plan to do something about it.
3. why does 4od require flash as an active x control to work, iplayer does not and streams better? i don’t get it.
We don’t have any ActiveX requirements so I’m not sure what to say about that one. Have you tried using a browser other than IE?
September 26, 2009
I would love to make a comment about it – but can’t even open anything! I have a dongel and have just happily watched itv and bbc catch-ups, but Peep Show is impossible…. what’s going on?
September 27, 2009
Downloadable content, like the old 4oD, would be a nice addition to the list of things to do. Coz heres the thing, not everyone in the country has the superfast broadband that seems to be required to actually be able to watch anything.
I loved the old 4oD, and used it all the time. I try to use the new web version, each time thinking that this time, I won’t have to wait 2 minutes for each minute of content to buffer, only to get irritated 15mins in (with only 5 mins watched) and turn off.
If I can’t actually watch on demand, it would be nice to be able at least to plan ahead and download ready for watching. I guess not beaing able to do something that you used to be able is progress!?!?!
September 28, 2009
Following up to Nathan’s request right at the top of this thread – Tank Top TV is currently beta testing an alerts feature doing exactly what Nathan is asking for. We hope it will be live for everyone shortly but in the mean time, if you sign up as a beta tester (http://www.tanktop.tv/beta) you can help us make sure we’re doing it right!
September 28, 2009
@Michael. Sorry you’re having a hard time with the streaming. We know that some connections don’t cope well. My own home wireless connection can get a bit temperamental with streaming video in the evenings if more than one person is using it.
Building a download client (again) is hard to justify as downloads constitute only a very small % of views (<4% in the old App). But it is something we're mindful of. Thanks for the feedback.
@Emmajin: please try contacting Support: http://bit.ly/5ASwK .
September 28, 2009
@Richard
Would building a slim adobe air app be out of the question, allowing users to download the same FLV files already used in the stream and just apply the adobe DRM?
September 29, 2009
@Brandon Not out of the question, no. But also not near the top of the to-do list.
October 1, 2009
Why cant i play items anymore? i have moved house and ever since i havent been able to watch anything on 4od? it always says an error has occured trying to play chosen item. please can you tell me what i can do?
thanks
October 1, 2009
@Claire. Please contact 4oD support: http://bit.ly/3OteLx explaining your dilemma.
October 3, 2009
I just wanted to say 4OD is “The” Best service out there comparing it to BBC IPlayer, ITV Catch-UP and Five on Demand!
Some of these services from the other channels can be really bitty and low quality, but 4OD personally for me has a consistent high quality to it’s videos and have yet to run into a single issue with the service!
I used both types of the service the Desktop and now the site based streaming FREE service.
What makes this service unique is that you can actually sit and watch programmes from years ago and not just the last 7 days like some.
One of my favourite Programmes of last year “The Family” is now on here with all 8 episodes in one place!!! I was watching one episode and found the series back on More 4 currently, but TV Programmes like that don’t come around more than once in a blue moon and to be able to rewatch some of the antics and arguments that series was full of is great.
Thank you for putting “The Family” on 4OD and also thanks for all the films to.
Channel 4 is the superior provider of the On Demand/Catch-up services in my opinion
Thanks to everyone involved!!!!
October 5, 2009
Since 4od is online now and has stopped being an application; i feel i watch it a lot less.
I watch the BBC iPlayer online and itvPlayer and the performance of those online players it is alot better and also you can watch all the BBC/ITV regional digital and analogue channels live which boosts its appeal. When 4od was an application it was considered alot better than BBC iPlayer and itvPlayer amongst many students. Also the streaming quality was much better and advert breaks were kept to a minimum. I feel that you should return the 4od application or allow users to watch Channel 4, E4, and More4 online ( I understand that Film4 may be difficult to stream due to it being a film channel)
October 6, 2009
Are you going to be adding any of the older Equinox specials to 4oD in the future. One episode I’m interested in watching again is the Walking On Water episode from 1994 http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/514168
October 7, 2009
i, It isnt working on my computer I keep getting “An error has occurred trying to play the Hi,
It isn’t working on my computer I keep getting “An Error has occurred trying to play the chosen item”.
Heres the diagnostic results from your test player:-
01:03:19 AM ad breaks received from Real media
01:03:19 AM Attempting to Connect to asset
01:03:20 AM Asset:NetConnection.Connect.Rejected – [ AccessManager.Reject ] : Access denied!
01:03:20 AM [Event type="error" bubbles=false cancelable=false eventPhase=2]>
Please Help. Its not a problem with my flash or anything like that it is an intermittent annoying problem.
October 7, 2009
@Hannah. Thanks. I don’t have an answer for you at the moment but we are aware of and trying to get to the bottom of the “Access denied” issue that a few people are still experiencing.
October 9, 2009
Hi Richard,
Is there any plan to make 4oD available on the PS3? BBC iPlayer works brilliantly on the system and as the Playstation is connected to my telly I can watch the streaming on that rather than on the laptop.
October 9, 2009
@G Chance – If I told you we bought a PS3 this morning in order to have a little tinker you’d probably think I was joking …
October 11, 2009
I like 4od, its much better than ITV’s attempt and in some ways better than iPlayer. Some features I would like to see:
Playlist (add shows/episodes into a playlist then have the web player automaticly play through each of them, a little like youtubes playlist feature)
More of the TV back catalog added
iPod Touch/iPhone App
Ability to download shows (I know this wont happen but worth mentioning ;p)
4od on Xbox 360 (I believe sky has recently worked out a deal with them?)
October 11, 2009
Echoing Michael’s earlier comment about downloading – used to use this option all the time with the 4oD application as streaming wasn’t always the best (though my broadband connection seemed to cope better with it via the ap than the version now via the website).
Richard replies it’s hard to justify considering less than 4% of users used to download content – yet the reason the app was axed was to enable a similarly small percentage of Mac users to be able to use 4oD., regardless of how this affected the 90% of people who use Windows.
I don’t think a download option is an unreasonable request – indeed I always thought downloading rather than streaming caused less strain on the hosts server. I understand you may not be able to do it immediately, but it shouldn’t be ruled out completely. There may be moved a foot to launch 20MB connections across the nation, but many of us are still waiting for speed of 2MB.
October 11, 2009
@Brekkie (and others). As someone who sits on a train for an hour twice a day, I appreciate that downloads have a valuable role. But we are contantly having to prioritise what we do and right now there is no work going on right now to reintroduce them. Nothing’s ruled out completely though.
Thanks for lobbying. We do take note.
[Brekkie: btw (and not to disagree with your central point]: last time I looked more than 15% of 4oD users were using Macs. I’m guessing this skews high because of the kind of person who’s into watching TV on demand via a conputer? Thought you might be interested anyway]
October 12, 2009
The stat I found was 9% overall using Mac as an operating system – but actually much harder to find those stats than I thought it would be.
October 13, 2009
Hey Richard, thanks for the comment on my blog. Saying as how you directed me to this blog i thought it would be mannerly to drop by and say hello.
As my blog post was about I would love for the 4oD service to be accessible on the Wii. I love (loved) watching the iPlayer on the Wii and 4oD is my personal no.1 catch up service and to have it on Wii would be awesome.
Dream come true would be Nintendo and channel 4 teaming up to provide a content streaming channel, an individual channel accessible through the wii menu rather than the internet channel.
October 13, 2009
@Wee_man . Thanks again. We’ll stick it on the to-do list .. (sadly it’s quite long!).
October 14, 2009
Hiya just wondering is there a timeframe for when its likely it will be possible to watch 4od through the PS3? It is a great sevice through the PC and obviously watching it on a TV thru the PS3 would greatly improve the experience. You can already watch BBC iplayer this way and I hear that sky have a similar service coming to the 360 soon….so what about 4od thru the PS3?
October 14, 2009
@Boholad . No timeframe but it is something we’re looking at. Will post here when there’s more to say.
October 24, 2009
Just like to thank you for flash 4oD, as a Linux user i could not use the 4oD download service at all. Obviously everybody’s mileage varies but for me 4oD works fine (and has from the start which could not be said for itv (silverlight LOL) or iplayer (which required me to rip the programs because flash used so much CPU)). I don’t watch 4oD that often but everytime i come back the site get better, in particular whoever implemented the resizeable pop out player should be given a medal.
I do have a couple of questions though:
1) Why must your content be encrypted when the BBC only needed to use RTMP?
2) Given that iplayer’s “protection” was broken a while ago, yet there hasn’t been a significant increase in piracy of bbc programs, why do content providers demand you try and encypt the content at all?
3) What is the deal with American shows? Evidently big shows like ugly betty are allowed to be shown but repeats of scrubs/how i met your mother/friends are not. 4) (When) can we expect such shows to be on 4od? I doubt you are allowed to say too much are particular publishers jerks because even iPlayer is missing some content?
5) Is there any chance C4 can arrange a deal with comedy central to allow UK viewers access to the dailyshow US site? (it’s nice being able to link/follow links to clips of the show instead of the entire thing) I know this is probably not something you get much say in but I’m just putting it out there.
October 24, 2009
I think it would be useful if in your troubleshooting FAQ section that if you cannot get anything to work make sure you have no adblockers especially any app that changes the hosts file. That was my issue.
October 25, 2009
Hi,
I would actually prefer the downloads option (as before).
I used to send the download request last thing at night before I went to bed, so my pc and broadband took them down overnight, when it was relatively quiet on the BB network over here (Dublin).
I was able to watch the stockpiled shows whenever I wanted to without the breaks in streaming. I had tried streaming first, but it didn’t run smoothly.
Please bring them back!!
Or is this why everything is moving to Youtube? As they have the technology that people seem to be wanting
October 26, 2009
@Bobbi – Yes. Good spot. We’ll update the FAQs. This is a fairly common problem.
@Coolnerd – This is a well-trodden path on this blog so I’m not going to get into it all over again. Sorry you miss the downloads. There won’t be any from 4oD on YouTube either I’m afraid.
@Juan Canham – All good questions. Not enough time to answer properly right now. WIll come back to you later …
October 26, 2009
Thanks for that Richard, you have no idea how happy I was when I finally cracked it that it was the hosts blocking that was my problem. I’m surprised you didn’t hear my whoops of joy.:)
November 8, 2009
4od is great but why are big sports events like the deciding final round of the superbikes world championships in such terrible quality and a week late!
4od could be a lot easier to navigate and you should split the 4od programs away from the lists of non 4od programs. its a pain!
November 11, 2009
Im another human that frequently receives the rather vague ‘an error has occurred trying to play the chosen item’ message. I dont have the same problem with iPlayer.
November 12, 2009
I think the C4 web-site is amazing. I couldn’t get on with the old 4od one and only recently discovered it. I’ve been watching almost all the history stuff. I know there are issues still to be resolved. I’m watching it on an Athlon machine running Linux (Ubuntu) on the FireFox browser (!) and it works brilliantly for me.
I just want to send some encouragement to the team running it because I love C4 and really enjoy the stuff here!
If I had an issue it would be info-there are a lot of things listed that aren’t showing right now-the docudrama about the Battle of the Atlantic for example. Is it going to be available again? The thing about First World War fighters with the guys from the Red Arrows presenting it-I asked the same question in the comments. Then I googled it and found it was brand new and still waiting for a slot to be shown on C4…
X
November 12, 2009
Why is it that so many programmes are listed but not available for actual viewing? This question is repeated again and again in comments on your site. It makes browsing through the available 4OD programmes very frustrating.
More frustrating is the fact that some series are only half available (such as Dave Rohl’s Egyptian series). That’s just plain irritating in fact, to get half way through a series to discover you won’t get to know the conclusion.
November 16, 2009
@Mike – Thanks for taking the time to write that. We really appreciate it.
@Nigel – Hi. Channel4.com contains information about thousands of Channel 4 programmes. These include some that were on in the past and aren’t available on 4oD as well as many that haven’t been on TV yet and so can’t be. I do completely agree that it’s not as easy as it could be to see *just* what’s on 4oD. We were in user testing all day today and I hope to see a raft of improvements to this and other things in the coming months.
Meantime there’s a handy list of what’s on 4oD here: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4oD/all .
I’ll have a look into the reason why we’ve not put all episodes of Pharaohs and Kings online and let you know. [Update: the missing episodes are pending approval and should be in place by Christmas].
November 22, 2009
I’d like to add my plea to those pressing for Wii support on 4oD. You would reach a different demogaphic with we Wii users as many of us are older or even (hint) grey surfers where the easier inerface and set up of a Wii and TV to PC and TV makes it a much better option. Also we more mature people don’t tend to lay Call of Duty except on our kids consoles.
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