Advanced Television

Vision TV Network for FreeviewHD

February 14, 2012

TV and video platform specialist Vision247 has launched the Vision TV Network, delivering live streamed international broadcasts via compliant FreeviewHD-connected devices. The service enables broadcasters and video content owners to broadcast their channels over the Internet, to all FreeviewHD-enabled devices in the UK.

Vision247’s own channel, Vision TV Network, aggregates premium channels from national broadcasters around the world into simple to access and view TV packages. Audiences can now watch a wide variety of international programming across distinct channels through FreeviewHD including news, entertainment and music, sports, business and culture in native languages.

Located on Channel 110, Vision TV Network is launching with a network of local language channel packages, including Polska Plus, TeleFrance, Hellenic and TeleTurk for the Polish, French, Greek and Turkish speaking communities living in the UK. With many more channels set to follow, Vision247 is able to extend the reach for any international broadcaster wishing to reach expatriate communities in the UK.

The service enables broadcasters to use the FreeviewHD electronic programme guide to promote their channels and use Vision247’s studio production and Internet broadcast playout services to deliver compelling new channels for up to 5.5 million households in the UK currently with access to FreeviewHD.

John Mills, CEO of Vision IPTV, said that for the first time, the company could provide live broadcast over the Internet and onto FreeviewHD televisions and set-top boxes in British living rooms. “This is an opportunity to add value to the FreeviewHD proposition, not only extending the choice of what to watch, but also the way viewers watch TV,” he explained.

Other benefits come with digital interactivity, which enables viewers to vote live with a click of a button. By tracking programme or channel selection, Vision247 can deliver contextual advertising or associated retail offers to viewers with the option to make use of a transactional gateway to buy as they watch. This digital interactivity also provides existing FreeviewHD channels the chance to create an interactive channel to add value and viewer services to existing broadcasts.

“This service extends the scope of FreeviewHD, offering users more channels to choose from and broadcasters the opportunity to take advantage of FreeviewHD as a more engaged and economically viable route to a wider audience,” said Mills.

Vision247’s platform supports the latest compliant FreeviewHD-enabled television sets and set -op boxes on the market, ensuring broadcasters can deliver compelling new TV services to wider audiences in the UK. Legacy devices, non-compliant or FreeviewHD devices not connected to the Internet will receive a ‘call to action’ message displayed on screen advising users on what is required to view the new Internet-delivered channels.

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