iVysílání is a streaming platform of Czech Television.[1] It offers television programmes produced by Czech Television along with films and programmes that Television has its license. Programmes and films can be viewed for free.[2] Viewers can also watch broadcast of Czech Television channels.
At the end of the 20th century, Czech Television began trial operation of live Internet broadcasting, so far only news programs were concerned. At that time, Internet broadcasting did not yet bear the name iVysílání.[3] The beta version of iVysílání launched in 2009.[4] iVysílání was launched in 2009 but it was still significantly different from its later form.[5] Users had the option to play one of archive programs or watch a live broadcast, but it had to be an original production of Czech Television. There were three different video qualities to choose from: low, medium and TV. TV quality video had a bit rate of 1.5 Mb/s. It was also possible to choose one of two possible multimedia players, which were Windows Media Player and RealPlayer.[4] [6]
In September 2011 ČT launched version for Android.[7] [8] In July 2013 it became available as HbbTV service.[9] In 2017 iVysílání stopped using Adobe Flash.[10] In September 2020 iVysílání changed its looks to be more similar to Netflix.[11] In May 2021 Ackee became developer for iVysílání applications.[12]
Until 2014 iVysílání was operated by KIT digital Czech but due to complaints from sport fans Czech Television decided to change operator.[13] České Radiokomunikace was speculated by media to be the likeliest new opeartor but it decided to not participate in tendr. Telefónica Czech Republic, T-Mobile, Livebox and current operator Visual Unity (renamed from KIT digital Czech) decided to participate.[14] Telefónica eventually won the tendr and became new operator for 2015 and 2016.[15]
Contract with Telefónica which was renamed to O2 ended in 2016 when ČT launched new tendr[16] O2, T-Mobile, Livebox and SuperNetwork initially participated but only SuperNetwork managed to submit required materials in time thus other companies were wxcluded which led Czech Television to cancel the tendr.[17] [18] New tendr was started in 2017 and was won by SuperNetwork which defeated O2.[19] Cooperation with SuperNetwork started in May 2018[20] but Czech Television terminated the contract soon afterwards due to violations of contracts by SuperNetwork and decided to return to O2.[21] [22]
Czech Television produced several series that were originally released on iVysílání before broadcast in Television. ČT also produces series avaible only on iVysílání. These series are usually targetted on young audience that doesn't watch television as much as previous generations.[23]
| Title | Genre | Original release | Seasons | Episodes | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBH | Drama | 17 February 2022 | 1 | 10 | First web series by Czech Television.[24] | |
| Pět let[25] | Drama | 26 September 2022 | 1 | 10 | ||
| Dobré ráno, Brno! | Comedy | 31 December 2022 | 1 | 1 | Only first episode. Rest broadcast on ČT1. | |
| teleRevize[26] | Documentary | 21 February 2023-current | 2 | 20 | ||
| Pickupeři[27] | Documentary | 13 December 2023 | 1 | 6 | ||
| Adikts[28] | Comedy/Drama | 9 January 2024 | 1 | 6 | ||
| Dakar Sistaz[29] | Sport Documentary | 14 March 2024 | 1 | 3 | ||
| Game Story | Documentary | 6 April 2024 | 1 | 10 | ||
| Vlastně se nic nestalo[30] | Drama | 29 September 2024 | 1 |