Catch-Up TV

Explanation

Catch-up TV is an on-demand service provided by broadcasters that allows viewers to watch TV programs after their original air date, typically for 7–30 days after broadcast. BBC iPlayer is the defining example — it makes almost all BBC programs available on-demand for 30 days after broadcast, free to UK viewers. ITV's ITVX, Channel 4's All4, and Channel 5's My5 operate similar models. Unlike SVOD services, catch-up TV is free, funded by either the license fee (BBC) or advertising (commercial broadcasters). Catch-up TV serves as a gateway to a broadcaster's streaming platform — viewers who use the catch-up service regularly are more likely to explore the full library. In the US, the network streaming apps (NBC's Peacock, CBS on Paramount+, ABC on Hulu) perform a similar catch-up function, though often requiring a subscription or ad viewing.