MediaWorks rebrands ondemand service as 3NOW, launches iOS, Android apps, uses hot Netflix series as hook

MediaWorks has rebranded its ondemand service as 3NOW, and launched iOS (iPhone, iPad), Android and Samung Smart TV apps for the service.

The hot Netflix series House of Cards is being used as a hook. Season One of the US drama is on 3Now (season two is now screening - or at least streaming - in the US).

House of Cards Season One will be available on 3NOW for 28 days from February 23.

MediaWorks Director of Interactive, Siobhan McKenna says the beta version of the iOS App alone downloaded more than 50,000 times to date.”

Key features of 3NOW include:

• An improved catch-up video platform
• The ability to pause shows and carry on watching from where the user left off
• Extra video content exclusive to 3NOW
• Innovative social media integration – helping users to share viewing experiences with their friends
• Recommendations
• A new Electronic Programme Guide enables users to look back and look forward
• The ability for users to manage their data consumption
• 3NOW provides exciting new opportunities to clients and sponsors thanks to its market-leading ad-logic

The official launch of 3NOW iOS and Android App is sponsored by 2degrees.

"It's good to see MediaWorks closing the feature-gap with TVNZ Ondemand and Sky," NBR technology editor Chris Keall says.

"Now all three players need to upgrade their services to offer ondemand content in HD video for viewers who want it.

"And while they deserve credit for expanding and upgrading their services, they also need to be aware that more and more viewers are tapping into US ondemand services like Netflix directly - and in fact in some cases their ISP is egging them on."

MediaWorks, TVNZ and Sky TV has to run faster to keep up, let alone pull ahead of what's on offer overseas, Keall says.

Overseas frills still not on offer to Kiwi ondemand viewers include a reverse EPG - or a programming guide that lets you browse and download any content screened in the past two weeks. 

TVNZ and MediaWorks also have the option, should they choose to take it up, of delivering broadband ondemand content (including some paid content) direct to people's main screen via MyFreeview boxes.