Advanced Television

NZ: Freeview launches streaming device

December 10, 2018

New Zealand digital service Freeview has just launched its first Live TV streaming platform, the latest in a range of recent Freeview innovations. In collaboration with Dish TV and Google, the first Freeview streaming device – the Dish TV SmartVU X – is now available.

The Freeview streaming device provides Kiwis access to live TV without the need for an antenna, as well as apps such as Netflix, Lightbox, Stuff Pix, YouTube and more on Google Play.

Freeview CEO, Jason Foden says this is arguably Freeview’s most innovative product yet. “The Freeview streaming device will help us deliver the best free viewing experience to even more New Zealanders. It’s estimated around 10 per cent of New Zealand households don’t have access to broadcast TV via a UHF aerial or satellite dish, this device provides those Kiwis with Freeview as well as other entertainment options.”

“We’re confident this will resonate with an increasing number of Kiwis looking to access TV services and apps over IP. The device launch shows Freeview is embracing the future of TV delivery. While viewers will need access to high speed Internet, the Freeview streaming device does not require a dedicated connection or for the viewer to be a customer of a particular ISP.”

The Dish TV SmartVU will offer streaming Live TV at launch and Freeview On Demand will be available in the new year. Freeview also looks forward to announcing more content partnerships in the near future to enrich the viewing experience delivered on its new TV streaming platform.

Designed locally in partnership with Dish TV, the SmartVU comes with Chromecast built-in, coupled with voice search on the Bluetooth remote, and priced at NZ$139 (€84).

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