BBC, Channel 4 & ITV to launch Freeview Connect service for Smart TV’s
Terrestrial TV networks including the BBC, Channel 4 and ITV have announced that they are to collaborate toward making their catch-up services available as standard on smart TV’s.
Implemented under the new Freeview Connect brand the scheme would enable free-to-air viewing on internet ready tellies by providing BBC iPlayer, 4oD and ITV Player available as standard.
The broadcasters had previously envisaged discarding the Freeview brand altogether in favour of Youview, but have had second thoughts after finding that YouView is not accepted as a Europe wide standard.
Consternation has also been apparent at the perceived encroachment of pay TV giants such as BT and TalkTalk onto their turf.
Freeview Connect is being funded by Digital UK, an industry body supported by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Arqiva whose stated aim is to guarantee universal access to public service broadcasts.