New app helps Aussies to use mobile phone as "live" TV

Australians will soon have the ability to live stream free-to-air (FTA) television, thanks to a "world first" app being developed by TV aggregator Freeview.

Freeview, a company which represents free-to-air television providers in Australia, told News Corp that it was in the process of developing an application which would allow all Australians with a smart phone to access every FTA television channel live.

The app would use mobile data or WiFi and act as a user's very own mini television, but will also allow users to "catch up" with shows they have missed or want to watch again.

Freeview CEO Liz Ross told News Corp the development was a "significant innovation" for free-to-air television in Australia.

"We have an exciting year ahead in free-to-air television and the spirit of progress and collaboration will deliver some significant innovations in 2016," Ross said on Monday.

Ross said the stranglehold which streaming services such as Netflix had on the Australian viewing public forced Freeview into developing the revolutionary app.

She said it was an attempt to entice viewers back to live TV.

"Freeview has responded to changing viewing habits," she said.

Currently, all Australian FTA providers have their own apps on the market which allow users to catch up anytime. Freeview plans to aggregate the catch up channels but also allow users to watch a live stream on their phones or tablets.

Freeview expects the app to be available for both iOS and Android devices later in 2016, but Ross could not give a specific date.