That ABC iView Login is coming, they’re just getting their ducks in a row

It was many months ago that we reported ABC would be introducing a login requirement for viewers on ABC iView, but just as we suspected it didn’t actually happen after concerns from ABC audience members were raised.

So, seven months after the original plan to require the login should have come into play – the ABC has issued a statement about said Logins.

The ABC say “Introducing Login to Watch means ABC iview can do what the other streaming services and commercial and public broadcasters are already doing and provide the personalised services viewers expect.“

And in this time they’ve done some research about other broadcasters handling of login requirements saying “Eighty per cent of public service broadcasters in the European Broadcasting Union, for example, require some form of login to access their video on demand service, including the BBC.“

The best part is, the majority support the ABCs move “In our most recent audience survey 95 per cent of respondents flagged a strong interest for ABC iview to add personalisation features that would require a login.“

In a country of 24 million or more, here’s a classic example of how a Government led organisation must act – check this out “There are currently almost 6 million ABC accounts delivering the benefits of personalised ABC iview services. Since 10 May 2021 the ABC has received just 514 complaints or queries about the introduction of ABC Login to Watch.“

514 complaints. Yep, just over five hundred.

Yet the whole thing needs to come grinding to a halt. Welcome to public broadcasting.

The organisation does not set a new timeline for the introduction, however in addressing the editorial and data privacy concerns, the ABC is making it clear, they’re ready to go “Nothing about creating a login for ABC iview changes our editorial independence, integrity or responsibility, including the privacy and data protections audiences expect of the ABC.

The ABC is bound by the Privacy Act and the Australian Privacy Principles. We place a high priority on the protection of personal information, in line with the trust that Australians place in their public broadcaster.“

It’s just a matter of time. And it’s a one time thing people. Help your mum, dad or grandparents adjust, so all the Bluey fans can get recommendations about new episodes on their iView home page, rather than boring News and Current Affairs stuff:)