Talking Pictures TV Launches Long-Awaited Streaming App

Talking Pictures TV, the beloved Freeview nostalgia channel, has finally launched its first proper streaming app.

In late November, TPTV released apps for Fire TV devices, followed shortly by iOS and Android TV (though not yet for Android smartphones).

The apps are part of their TPTV Encore streaming service, which also got a major website upgrade with several new features that fans have been requesting.

While the new apps are not a fully-fledged streaming service, and – to the disappointment of some – do not include a live streaming version of the original channel, they do offer lots of nuggets for British classics fans.

What Is Talking Pictures TV?

Founded in 2015 by Noel Cronin, his daughter Sarah Cronin-Stanley, and her husband Neill Stanley, Talking Pictures TV has become one of British television’s most remarkable success stories.

The channel specialises in vintage British films, TV series, and documentaries, catering to viewers who yearn for the golden age of cinema and television.

What started as a relatively small venture quickly grew into a broadcasting phenomenon.

After launching on Sky, the channel expanded to Freesat in 2017 and Freeview in 2018. Today, it boasts an impressive weekly viewership of around 6 million people, proving there’s a massive appetite for classic content.

In December 2021, recognising the growing shift towards streaming, the channel launched TPTV Encore – their first streaming service, initially available only through web browsers and Freeview’s Red Button service.

While this was a welcome addition for fans, its limited accessibility meant many viewers were still crying out for proper streaming apps.

You can currently watch the main Talking Pictures TV channel on Freeview Channel 81, Sky Channel 328, Virgin Media Channel 445, Freesat Channel 306, and YouView Channel 82.

The New Streaming Apps

After partnering with video solutions provider Accedo earlier this year, TPTV has now launched dedicated streaming apps for Amazon Fire TV devices, iOS, and Android TV, bringing their classic British films and TV shows to even more screens around the UK.

It’s worth noting that while the app is available for Android TV devices, it hasn’t yet launched for Android smartphones – though we expect this might change in the future.

What Do The New Apps Offer?

The new apps, launched alongside an upgraded version of the TPTV Encore website, come with several improvements that fans have been requesting for ages.

The new apps feature enhanced playback controls with improved fast-forwarding and rewinding capabilities, smoother navigation, and the ability to resume watching where you left off if you need to stop mid-film.

The apps provide access to TPTV Encore’s library of classic British content, featuring rare gems from the vaults of Pinewood, Twickenham and Shepperton Studios.

Whether you’re in the mood for vintage drama, classic comedy, or forgotten treasures from Britain’s rich cinematic history, there’s plenty to discover in their extensive catalogue.

However, it’s worth noting that this isn’t a complete streaming replacement for the TV channel – you won’t find a live stream of the regular Talking Pictures TV broadcast channel on the apps – therefore, this doesn’t help those with bad aerial reception who want to replace Freeview’s version of the channel.

Instead, the apps offer an on-demand library of content that mirrors what’s available on the TPTV Encore website, including classic films and previous episodes of series that have aired on the main channel.

Early User Reactions

The initial response from viewers has been largely positive, with many celebrating the fact that they can now watch the classics without needing a TV signal. However, some users have already started compiling their wishlists for future improvements.

Top requests include the addition of live channel streaming and the ability to download content for offline viewing. The most common request, however, appears to be for an ad-free subscription option.

Speaking of subscriptions – while the app store description mentions a potential subscription option to remove adverts, this feature doesn’t appear to be available just yet.

For now, the service remains free with adverts, similar to the website version.

The Growing Appetite for Nostalgia

The launch of these new apps comes at a time when nostalgia-focused channels are experiencing a remarkable surge in popularity.

Recent months have seen the expansion of channels like Rewind TV onto Freeview, joining Talking Pictures TV and That’s TV in bringing classic content to broader audiences.

It’s fascinating to see that even in an era dominated by streaming giants churning out endless new content, there’s still a massive appetite for the classics.

The success of Talking Pictures TV – both on traditional TV and now in streaming – proves that sometimes, the old really is gold.

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