Android ‘TV Guide’ App Redesign: New Features And Social Interaction But Lots Of Ads

After re- launching the app for iOS last summer Android ‘TV Guide’ has finally thrown Android users a bone. ‘TV’ Guide updated it’s app for Android for the first time since 2010. It is available for Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.2) and Jellybean (4.1).

They have added a number of new features like the Watchlist tool that allows users to customize listings by adding favorite shows, sports teams, actors and movies. Another cool too is New Tonight Tending which is a social list of what other app users are watching and filters for Watchlist that show users only their favorite shows.

Other features of the updated app include:

- Social check-in and discussion: Throughout the app, check in, share and discuss what you're watching via social networks using TV Guide's "I'll Watch" button.

- Video Search and Curated Video Channels: Find the TV shows, movies and web originals you want to watch now or browse through editor- and guest-curated channels. Guest curators have included Andy Cohen from Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live."

- Celebrity Watchlist Videos: The biggest stars – Sigourney Weaver, Tina Fey, Katie Couric and dozens more

– Share why they love their favorites in these exclusive TV Guide videos.

- Super-Charged "Classic" Listings: Our best listings grid ever, including alerts, HD and favorite channel filters, "I'll Watch" social sharing, and instant "Add to Watchlist." - Original Editorial Content: TV Guide's original breaking news and features – and the ability to discuss them with editors and other fans.

- New Tonight Sports: Every sporting event on TV that day.

The updated app has gotten an enthusiastic reception so far, it’s gotten 9 million downloads with 1.1 million users creating Watchlists and monthly active users doubling to 2.5 million users. This will be a major source of revenue for the company that uses ad-support to allow the app to be free. There is concern about the potentially excessive number of ads that might diminish excitement. It has already dented the rating on the Apple store to 3.5 out of 5 stars. Android users have been more generous with a 4.0 out of 5.