Freeview today published research undertaken by Futuresource Consulting that shows that almost every home in the UK will be able to access Connect TV powered services by the end of 2014. Connect TV brings internet delivered content to the Freeview Electronic Programme Guide (EPG). The service works on all compliant Freeview HD devices and offers live streaming and on demand services. Connect TV seamlessly combines Digital Terrestrial (DTT) broadcast and TV over broadband, offering broadcasters, content owners and brands the ability to reach the wide UK Freeview audience in a simple, cost-effective way, without the requirement for additional specialised hardware.
"This research by Futuresource is great news for us," says Phil Walder, Managing Director, Connect TV. "It shows that almost all UK homes will have a TV or set-top that?s Freeview HD compliant, and therefore able to access our connected TV channels, by the end of 2014. That's good news for us and also good news for the UK consumer, as it means that they will be able to access advanced connected TV services without purchasing additional hardware solutions," Walder added.
Total number of UK Freeview HD compliant Set-tops and TVs (Millions)
2012 9.9
2013 16.4
2014 24.2
2015 32.4
2016 39.8
When asked to comment on the imminent YouView launch, Walder said: "YouView is good for us, as anything that increases the number of HD Freeview boxes in UK homes increases the number of people able to access our services."
Connect TV launched its connected TV service with an initial lineup of 45 internet delivered channels in February 2012. The service enables viewers to access connected TV services directly from the Freeview menu or electronic programme guide (EPG). The service works on all compliant Freeview HD devices, currently available in up to 5 million UK households. Consumers can simply access the additional content through their existing TV menu, just as they do other Freeview channels. Today's Connect TV content line-up contains a mix of sports, foreign language and news channels from Racing UK, Sports Tonight Live, CCTV and French, Greek, Polish and Turkish programming from the Vision TV Network, with more than 10 new services slated to launch by the autumn. Channels using the Connect TV platform can choose to be pay-to-view, subscription, or free. Transactions are managed through the Connect TV payment gateway. As viewers that have seen Connect TV's offering for the Racing UK channel, Connect TV provides viewers and broadcasters with a richly interactive connected TV experience without the requirement for new set-top boxes and high-levels of investment.
If you would like to discuss the future of connected TV in the UK with Connect TV?s Phil Walder, please get in touch with David Bramley, Platform PR, Tel: +44 (0)20 7486 4900, Email: david@platformpr.com
