An update to the Blaze app unlocks free access to extra steaming channels as part of a revamp of the channel’s streaming offer.
- Blaze app rolling out across a range of smart TVs including Samsung and LG.
- The channel offers free access to mystery, true crime and treasure hunting shows.
Blaze, the Freeview channel operated by A+E Networks UK and media services company Simplestream have announced an upgrade to Blaze’s streaming offer.
As part of the upgrade, users of the Blaze app will, following an update, have access to A+E Networks UK’s five free streaming channels: Mystery TV, Inside Crime, History Hunters, Deal Masters, and World War TV.
The blaze.tv website will also receive an upgrade, so viewers will soon enjoy ‘feature parity’, i.e. the same features regardless of which device they access Blaze streaming content on.
Having started as on mobile, tablets and PCs, the Blaze streaming service is now expanding on smart TVs.
Live streaming and catch-up is available through the Blaze app rolling out on Samsung and LG TVs, plus devices supporting Vidaa OS (mostly Hisense in the UK).
This will give viewers more ways to access popular shows including Dickinson’s Real Deal, Flipping Bangers and Storage Wars, plus forthcoming highlights including Britain’s Greatest Obsessions with Harry Hill and Britain’s Most Historic Towns with Professor Alice Roberts.
Overdue update
An update has been long overdue. RXTV notes that the Blaze app for Android was last updated in 2020, and while it works with older devices, it won’t run on some newer devices.
On iOS, version 5 of the Blaze app was made available at the beginning of May. The update added the five streaming channels. This was the Blaze app’s first update on iOS in three years.
Corporate comment
Julie Mitchelmore, VP of Digital at A+E Networks EMEA, said:
“We’re delighted to enhance the offering on our BLAZE streaming service with even more choices for viewers who want to enjoy the very best entertainment.”
Blaze first launched on Freeview back in 2016 when it became A+E Network’s first free-to-air channel. A+E Networks had previously solely operated as a pay TV provider, bringing channels including The History Channel* and Crime+Investigation to UK viewers. As a result, Blaze brought a selection of programmes that had previously only been available on Sky and Virgin Media to Freeview and Freesat viewers for the first time.
*The History Channel UK is now Sky History, as part of a joint venture with Sky.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: A+E Networks UK