Next generation Freeview service to launch next month

Freeview Play is the next generation of Freeview and, like YouView and EE TV before it, will blend linear digital terrestrial TV channels with a mixture of catch-up and on-demand services.

The first sets to be launched with Freeview Play on board are coming from Panasonic.

Compatible televisions will update automatically over the next few weeks, while the launch will be accompanied by a new TV advertising campaign.

The usual Freeview TV service is also included, plus a seven-day “scroll back” feature as part of the integrated, all-in-one package.

Those that don’t want to splash out on a Panasonic TV will be served by a pair of Blu-ray recorders and two digital recorders from the same company that are equipped with Freeview Play. While you’ll only be able to play with these four services from launch, we understand that more streaming services will arrive on Freeview Play in the near future. Since then, Ilse Howling, Managing Director, Connected TV at Digital United Kingdom, has led a dedicated team to develop the product specification for the new service.

This time around the partners also include Freeview and Digital United Kingdom, the body that now represents the interests of the UK’s principal broadcasters.

Guy North, managing director of Freeview, said: “We believe that Freeview Play is set to become the new normal way of watching TV”.

Caroline Thomson, chair of Digital United Kingdom, said: “The launch of Freeview Play is a landmark moment for United Kingdom television”. It’s designed to make it easier to catch up on shows you missed during the previous week by scrolling back through the electronic TV guide.

“Our partnership means that we cannot only provide outstanding picture quality, but a much wider selection of programmes and viewing flexibility to Panasonic customers in the United Kingdom”.