TVCatchup to remove ITV, C4 and C5

A High Court ruling has forced TVCatchup to remove 21 of its channels aired by broadcasters ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

TVCatchup, which has 9.35 million users, is an internet television service for viewing free-to-air UK channels that appear on Freeview and Freesat.

Earlier this year, the Court declared that TVCatchup was in breach of a 2001 law, which states that original broadcasters have exclusive rights to approve and restrict programming used by third parties.

The online streaming service will continue to display the channels, however will no longer be able to stream the three main broadcaster channels on its mobile TV service, nor 11 of the broadcasters’ digital channels.

A joint statement released from the broadcasters called the ruling a “significant vindication”.

“This result will help protect the substantial investment broadcasters make in content and is a clear message to those who seek to infringe our copyright or use our content in an illegal capacity,” they said.