IPHONE USERS have been left disappointed after RTÉ moved to block an app that allowed the entire back catalogue from its online streaming service, RTÉ Player, to be watched on an iPhone.
The free ‘Telly Eireann’ app, developed by Aidan Butler under the name ’RedRag Software’, which appeared in the iTunes App Store over the long weekend, quickly gained popularity on Twitter and Boards.ie after excited users learned the app allowed them to watch the Player’s contents once they were within range of a WiFi connection.
The unofficial app, named in honour of the moniker given to RTÉ in the ever-popular sitcom Father Ted, quickly gained a large following – but attracted the attention of RTÉ itself.
The broadcaster was obviously none too pleased at the idea of its technologies being circumvented by the app, and by yesterday lunchtime had managed to stop the app from being able to connect to its Player.
It appears that RTÉ also contacted Apple itself, who removed the software from the App Store early yesterday afternoon.
The combined measures mean that both existing and prospective users were blocked from using the software.
Disappointed users of the app suggested that RTÉ didn’t hold rights to show the Player’s content on mobile devices but that it was “pretty lame of RTÉ to kill the app”.
Similar sentiment was echoed on Twitter, where one user suggested RTÉ should either quickly produce their own alternative app, or purchase the Telly Eireann app and rebrand it itself.
The formal RTÉ Player website itself does not work on Apple products, as it requires the Adobe Flash Player which the iPhone does not support.
The BBC blocked a similar app that accessed its own iPlayer in March, but has announced intentions to produce its own official iPlayer app.
Update, 2:50pm: RTÉ has itself posted a reply on the Boards.ie thread in question, confirming that it was forced to block the app because it would have to renegotiate the terms of its licences for the content on the website.
An RTÉ representative said: “For an RTÉ Player App to be developed for the iPhone, we would need to put in place a secure copy-protection mechanism for the iPhone, as well as re-negotiate contracts with the rights-holders.”
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