Freeview Play sales top 1m
March 1, 2017
UK free-to-air digital terrestrial television platform Freeview has confirmed that sales of its connected TV service Freeview Play TVs and set-top boxes have surpassed one million. Launched in late 2015, Freeview Play brings UK consumers a seamless combination of live, catch-up and on demand content all in one place for no monthly cost.
Freeview Play TVs now account for one in three (34 per cent) of smart HD TVs sold in the UK. Freeview Play is already supported by over 20 leading brands, which Freeview says makes it the most widely adopted service by manufacturers for catch-up TV in the UK, with further major announcements and product developments scheduled for this year.
Freeview Play was developed to answer consumer demand for an integrated TV package offering a seamless integration of live, catch-up and on-demand content without a subscription.
“I’m delighted that we have reached this major sales milestone so early in Freeview Play’s lifespan,” declared Guy North, Managing Director of Freeview. “This achievement is a testament to all our many partners whom I’d like to thank for their outstanding support. With new content, manufacturer and product enhancement announcements on the horizon, Freeview Play is on track to becoming the new normal way viewers access TV.”
The 2017 Freeview Play specification includes optional support for Ultra HD (4K) and HDR content for programmes delivered via broadband.
Technical development of Freeview Play, including product specification, is being led by Digital UK, the body formed by UK broadcasters to assist consumers in the conversion to digital TV.