RTÉ disables iPhone app that played its programmes

AN APPLICATION which allowed iPhone users to watch RTÉ television programmes on their mobile phones has been removed from the Apple app store after it was disabled by RTÉ.

Telly Éireann gave users access to hundreds of shows which are available on RTÉ’s online television catch-up service, the RTÉ Player.

The free application became available in the online app store at the end of July but was removed from the store this week.

It was not an official RTÉ app but was created by a developer credited as Red Rag Software.

Last weekend, RTÉ discovered that the app was available and blocked it from accessing the RTÉ player.

“When we heard the unauthorised app was available we disabled it,” an RTÉ spokeswoman said.

As a result the application was no longer usable, however RTÉ did not ask Apple to remove the application for download.

RTÉ Player content is generally not viewable on the iPhone’s internet browser because it uses Adobe flash player. Websites using flash are not viewable on the iPhone.

However, the Telly Éireann app had managed to get around this problem. Users could watch programmes when connected to wireless (but not on 3G).

Security concerns and obligations to rights holders were the two main reasons RTÉ has given for disabling the app.

The iPhone platform has not been agreed by RTÉ with the copyright holders of the programming.

An RTÉ Player app for iPhone would require the renegotiation of contracts with the rights holders of the programmes, the broadcaster said.

The RTÉ Player gives Irish internet users access to much of its imported programming such as Grey's Anatomy, Cougar Townand Eastenders.Worldwide audiences are given access to many current affairs and entertainment programmes made by RTÉ.

An RTÉ Player app for the iPhone and other mobile devices was under consideration, RTÉ said.

RTÉ has already developed several iPhone apps.

The RTÉ News Now app, which provides access to looped television news, is among the most downloaded applications by Irish iPhone users.

Telly Éireann was one of over 200,000 applications available in the Apple app store.

The developer of Telly Éireann was not contactable yesterday.