ABC News Apple TV
ABC News uses (OTT) digital streaming devices, to provide a 24/7 dedicated news service. Although flagship shows that include GMA and 20/20 are broadcast on regional ABC networks, the web and streaming devices are the main distribution platforms for ABC News. The Apple TV is their flagship distribution platform, providing access to multiple live streams including the Elections and breaking news stories.
About
After the success of their 2nd gen Apple TV app, ABC News were looking to take advantage of features in the 4th gen Apple TV and deliver an experience that felt closer to broadcast TV.
The project was broken up into five, one week design sprints to explore different areas of the application. The objective, to design a linear TV-like experience that could be consumed with minimal interaction. Menu systems and controls needed to be shallow and not require too many levels when exploring both time shifted and live content. At the end of each week we presented a simulation video as well as a set of schematics to the client team, showing the logic and flow for multiple concepts.
The project was broken up into five, one week design sprints to explore different areas of the application. The objective, to design a linear TV-like experience that could be consumed with minimal interaction. Menu systems and controls needed to be shallow and not require too many levels when exploring both time shifted and live content. At the end of each week we presented a simulation video as well as a set of schematics to the client team, showing the logic and flow for multiple concepts.
Result
Opening the app users are directed to either a live multistream experience via the 'control room', which carries multiple feeds focused on major news events, such as the presidential elections, or to a collection of editorially curated video playlists. Story cover images are tinted to brand the intro bumpers, with stylized text treatments across the app.
The global navigation panel is laid out timeline-like, leading with live, then grouping curated playlists, and concluding with utility settings and local coverage. It’s accessible at all times with a simple swipe. The breaking news lower third can be deployed in any state, giving publishers the control to push and deep link to live breaking stories.
One of the key features of the app is the live experience. This carries 5 live feeds the user can control, either pushing a single feed to full screen, or customizing the all view, switching focus to control the audio.
The global navigation panel is laid out timeline-like, leading with live, then grouping curated playlists, and concluding with utility settings and local coverage. It’s accessible at all times with a simple swipe. The breaking news lower third can be deployed in any state, giving publishers the control to push and deep link to live breaking stories.
One of the key features of the app is the live experience. This carries 5 live feeds the user can control, either pushing a single feed to full screen, or customizing the all view, switching focus to control the audio.
