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TVCatchup, which tried to offer on-demand TV shows via a dodgy web-based “PVR” before it was shut down amid legal questions in February, is back - and this time it’s playing it safe. The site has relaunched to offer live channels, apparently with endorsement from each of the UK’s public service broadcasters - there are 18 so far from the BBC, ITV (LSE: ITV), Channel 4 and Five, but the service aims for 40 by year’s end as well as overseas channels. The picture quality is frankly outstanding; the site says it will be ad-funded.

A spokesperson told paidContent:UK: “TVCatchup has consulted with the broadcasters; they were granted full and exclusive access to the service prior to the public launch; and no objections to our claim that the website operates in accordance with current legislation were raised.” Though TVCatchup’s recording functionality proved too legally racy first time around, like Zattoo, it’s now using a legal provision in section 73 of the copyright act to rebroadcast the UK public service channels as live. Remember kids, you’ll still need a TV license to watch Countdown on your office laptop.