American Forces Network is testing a new video-on-demand app with its Pacific audience before making it available to U.S. military communities in other overseas locations. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan – Days into its trial of and livestreaming application, American Forces Network is finding and fixing problems in the on-demand system, network representatives told Stars and Stripes.
By Thursday, 98 registered users in Japan and South Korea had logged onto the AFN Now app, according to network spokesman John Clearwater in an email that day.
AFN is testing the app with its Pacific audience for an indefinite period before making it available to U.S. military communities in other overseas locations. AFN Now features TV shows, movies, news and some sports.
The app should be working well for viewers on military installations, Clearwater said. Users beyond the reach of a military base internet connection may have trouble connecting through the app, he said, but the developers believe fixes can be made soon.
“The good news is we are working out the kinks,” AFN chief of television Karreem Lowe said Thursday in an email. “The initial roll-out issues have been resolved. If you are on-base overseas, you should be able to see the app and it should be working well for you.”
Users who are having functionality issues with the app are asked to contact the AFN Now help desk (571) 559-1415, which is taking calls around the clock.
The app’s testing period depends on the test results, Clearwater said.
Lowe said AFN is troubleshooting its way through the AFN Now trial.
“Everything that is supposed to be happening is happening,” he said. “That is very encouraging. We are doing exactly what we should be doing at this point in the test phase. We are working closely with our contract partners, program providers and app developers. The issues we are seeing are not game stoppers.”
AFN-Pacific audiences are doing a service to other AFN viewers by helping iron out the kinks in the new app, Air Force Maj. Kenneth Scholz, commander of AFN-Pacific, told Stars and Stripes by email Wednesday.
“With their feedback, this mobile app can provide another way to stay informed and entertained in addition to our TV, radio and web service options,” he said. “It’s an exciting time and we’re so fortunate to share in this opportunity with America’s Best.”
