GCN+

A streaming service fit for a champion

Using our own Connected TV framework, which allows our developers to build Connected TV applications using a single codebase, and deploying to native and web-based platforms, we worked with GCN to launch GCN+ on Apple TV. The new Apple TV app has set a benchmark for future platform builds, designed with a strong user-centric focus to ensure a great user experience. Our framework enables GCN+ to extend their platform reach without compromising on the user experience.

Through our client workshopping process, working closely alongside GCN, we began by mapping out user pain points to establish which features would elevate the overall user experience. As a result of this, new and revamped features implemented include dynamic content rails, in-between pages, live banners, featured blocks/rails, grouped tour content rails, progress bars, and comprehensive error flows that lead the user back on a path of content discovery. To further enhance the UX, we heavily focussed on accessibility, ensuring we delivered a digitally inclusive, fully accessible and optimised user experience. Therefore, we incorporated multiple language subtitles, as well as text-to-speech functionalities to enable access by visually impaired users.

Mark Wheatley, Head of Product at Play Sports Network on how he found working with the team at FX Digital:

“Working with FX Digital on our tvOS application was a deeply collaborative process, made both straightforward and enjoyable thanks to the professionalism and focus of the FX Digital team. Our twice-weekly ‘pulse’ meetings continued all the way through from the discovery phase until launch, and the daily communication through Slack meant that we had confidence and clarity of the project’s progress from day one.”

Defining the next phase of GCN+

Before starting on any new designs, we carried out a series of user interviews to ensure we fully understood the most loved features and areas of improvement from both current GCN+ subscribers and relevant potential subscribers. Once user interviews had been conducted, our design team developed a prototype that was then tested with GCN+ subscribers to help inform how the new app should look and feel. By working closely with these users, we were able to gain a detailed understanding of what fans craved, allowing us to provide a significant enhancement to the app, in turn helping us to build the next version of a market-leading streaming service for cycling fans.

Mark Wheatley, Head of Product at Play Sports Network on what the outcome of the project means for GCN:

“An Apple TV application was something our users had been requesting for some time, and so the launch of the project in time for peak race season was a big moment for our business and our subscribers. What made the project a big success was not just the timely delivery, but the quality of the execution. We closely monitor the streaming performance of our video players, and the tvOS app is easily our most successful app in terms of successful playback events. It currently has a playback failure rate of 0.0% over the last three months despite hundreds of thousands of watching sessions. As you can imagine, we are very happy.”

Working in close collaboration with the team at GCN and providing our expertise and knowledge throughout the process, we helped to redesign and redevelop a market-leading streaming service that the cycling world has never seen before. We redeveloped an application that provides cycling fans with a cinematic experience from the comfort of their own home, allowing them to get closer than ever to the action.

We continue to work with GCN to support the ongoing development and maintenance of their Connected TV application, with plans to roll out these improvements across their existing platforms in the future.