British commercial terrestrial broadcaster ITV has rolled out a version of its ITV Player catch-up service for the Android platform, allowing users to watch ITV programmes on their Android-based smartphones and tablets.

The new ITV Player app can be downloaded from the Android Market for free. It promises unlimited streaming over WiFi from all of the ITC channels, viz. ITV1, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4. However, users of the ITV Player app will miss out on ITV1 shows in some regions.

Moreover, the UK broadcaster can only show programming which it owns the rights to screen on mobile platforms.

The app also requires an Android phone based on version 2.2 or above, plus it demands Adobe Air 2.6 to run the ITV Player app on the mobile devices.

Managing Director Robin Pembrooke, of ITV Online and On Demand said, “I’m very excited to be launching our first ever ITV Player mobile app and genuinely believe that the simple design and high picture quality of this app is a leap forward in providing our customers with what they want to watch on the move.”

The ITV Player app surfaced after the BBC rolled out the BBC iPlayer app for the Android-based devices.

ITV confirmed that a version of its ITV Player catch-up service for iOS-based iPhone and iPad will be launched later this year.