FreeCast Launches Universal NextGen Broadcast-Enhanced Streaming TV App

With ATSC 3.0 broadcast technology and 5G wireless deploying rapidly across the US and the globe, FreeCast is laying out a new strategy to take advantage of these powerful wireless content delivery options. The company’s software aggregates free FAST and premium streaming channels, free ad-based video on demand content from across the internet, streaming subscriptions services, and pay-per-view video all into a seamless experience from one app across devices. FreeCast already inserts free local over-the-air channels by DMA into the mix via ATSC home hubs and servers for multi-dwelling properties. FreeCast’s Universal app is now ready for deployment and integration with all ATSC device manufacturers.

As cable retrans fees decline, broadcasters are looking for new ways to reach their audiences. Virtual pay-TV channel services often only offer the big four broadcast networks, leaving other broadcast channels and dozens of diginets out. FreeCast is offering these broadcasters a solution that can capture the full spectrum of OTA channels via their ATSC broadcasts and distribute them via streaming.

By utilizing local home hubs, servers, and antennas, along with geofencing technology, FreeCast can ensure each viewer has access to only their DMA’s broadcast channels, all from a single app. This approach is superior to each broadcast network developing its own app, or city-based broadcast TV apps. In the near future as ATSC 3.0 and 5G-10G technologies advance and become more prevalent and devices supporting these advanced technologies reach consumers’ hands, FreeCast is already positioned to deliver this service without relying on local servers or in-home hubs.

William Mobley, CEO of FreeCast, discussed the details of the strategy the company will be touting to broadcasters at the upcoming National Association of Broadcasters’ Show. “Broadcasters didn’t capitalize during cord-cutting or when all the streaming services raised prices, and ATSC 3.0-compatible hardware has been slow to reach consumers. The whole TV industry is in transition right now, and we’ve built a solution that quickly gets broadcasters back in the game on replacing revenues. It’s a solution that works great for consumers too, because it doesn’t mean another half dozen apps to download. And like these new technologies it leverages, it’s designed to evolve over time and keep getting better.”