Advanced Television

BBC Connected Red Button for Samsung, Sony Smart TVs

January 10, 2014

By Colin Mann

The BBC has launched a beta version of its Connected Red Button service on a range of Samsung and Sony Smart TVs and confirmed it will be available on LG Smart TVs in early 2014 – letting audiences effortlessly access even more of their favourite BBC TV, News, Sport, Weather and Children’s content in the simplest possible way – by pressing red on the TV remote.

BBC Connected Red Button allows users to:

  • Watch BBC TV programmes– including favourites from BBC Three, BBC Four, CBBC and CBeebies any time, day or night – even when the channel is off air
  • Effortlessly catch up on previous episodes of favourite shows and discover new gems
  • Get closer to the action at the latest sport and music events, with more streams, clips and content from events such as Glastonbury, Wimbledon and Formula 1
  • Letting viewers immerse themselves in news and weather headlines and clips that matter to them, all at the touch of a button

From today, viewers with enabled Smart TVs who press red when BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four and BBC News are broadcasting will have access to the familiar BBC Red Button service that is currently used by 13 million people per week, as well as more of the BBC programmes and content they love via BBC Connected Red Button.

Over time, the BBC will add more features to the service, including lottery results, detailed weather forecasts and improved functionality. The BBC will also extend the service to other Smart TV platforms in the future.

Since launching on Virgin Media’s TiVo service in December 2012, BBC Connected Red Button has brought audiences even closer to the action around live events. During Glastonbury, music fans could enjoy performances from the six main stages and catch up on sets from their favourite bands afterwards – all from the comfort of their sofa. And for Wimbledon, up to 10 live streams were available, giving tennis lovers the ultimate Championship experience on the biggest screen in their house.

The beta launch of Connected Red Button will mean more fans will be able dive deeper and catch more from what promises to be an unprecedented year of live events from the BBC in 2014.

According to the BBC, with predictions that by the end of 2016 there will be over 16 million connectable TVs installed in the UK, and that over 60 per cent of UK TV households will have a connected primary set – either directly or via a set top box – BBC Connected Red Button gives viewers even more reason to connect their TV.

Roux Joubert, General Manager, Products and On Demand at the BBC, said: “Since the launch of Connected Red Button in 2012, the BBC has brought audiences more of the content they love on their TV – by simply pressing red. We’re thrilled to extend this to even more viewers – and look forward to adding more features and functionality in 2014 – which promises to be another an epic year of live events from the BBC.”

Guy Kinnell, Head of TV and AV at Samsung Electronics UK & Ireland, said: “Following the success of BBC News, BBC Sport and BBC iPlayer on the Samsung Smart Hub, we’re excited to welcome another great BBC service to the platform. BBC Connected Red Button will provide Samsung customers with a wealth of interactive services from the comfort of the living room all whilst enhanced by the premium picture quality and revolutionary product design of our Smart TVs.’’

Neil King, Head of Home Entertainment – UK and Ireland, Sony, said: “Sony is very pleased to be working with the BBC on this exciting new project. Smart TV is fast becoming an important part of family entertainment and BBC Connected Red Button will make accessing your favourite BBC TV, News, Sport and Children’s content even simpler. Sony and the BBC have a long history of working together on groundbreaking technology and we look forward to continue working with them to deliver features that are beneficial to our customers.”

Andy Mackay, Commercial Director, CE LG UK, said: “We’ve been working very closely with the BBC to launch Connected Red Button on LG Smart TVs. Smart TV technology is radically evolving the way that we consume content in our homes and this new service will link traditional live TV viewing with a rich on-demand Smart TV experience. It’s a great initiative from the BBC and will prompt increased engagement with Smart TV services, ensuring consumers are getting the very best from their LG Smart TV and BBC applications.”

Categories: Articles, Connected TV, OTT