Featured
Latest
New service from UK...
 
Share:
Notifications
Clear all

Forum 135

Trade Chat New service from UK public service broadcasters will deliver live free TV via IP

5 Posts
4 Users
2 Reactions
227 Views
Till Eulenspiegel
(@till)
Posts: 4947
Famed Member Registered
Topic starter
 

From the Independent Electrical Retailer:  A new service called Freely.

Britain’s biggest broadcasters has announced their latest collaboration: the development of a new free TV service that will deliver live TV over broadband.

For the first time for free, British viewers will be able to easily browse and watch live TV channels together with on-demand content streamed straight to their smart TV via the internet.

Set for launch in 2024, the new service, called Freely, will be built-in to the next generation of smart TVs and feature a line-up of public service broadcaster content and other free-to-air channels. 

It will replicate the terrestrial TV experience, building on the heritage and popularity of the Freeview TV platform, currently used in 16 million homes.

As viewers increasingly consume content online, this next phase for free TV is about the distribution and availability of the PSBs’ live channels for a streaming age.

It will help ensure the availability of PSB services into the future and complement the new provisions for on-demand and streaming prominence, set out in the draft Media Bill.

Freely has been developed by Everyone TV, the organisation which runs free TV in the UK and is jointly owned by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

Jonathan Thompson, chief executive of Everyone TV, said: “We are delighted to be working with the public service broadcasters on the next phase of free TV’s evolution. This new development is a reflection of the fact that a growing number of UK viewers are watching content online, but still want easy access to the shared experience of live TV.

“Our aim is to ensure that all viewers have access to a free, aggregated live TV experience that champions British content and is delivered in a way that suits audience needs and preferences. Every one of us should be able to share in the best of British ideas and creativity on TV.”

Till Eulenspiegel.

 
Posted : 21/09/2023 9:55 am
Cathovisor
(@cathovisor)
Posts: 6640
Famed Member Registered
 

Oh dear, are they trying to relaunch YouView again...?

 
Posted : 21/09/2023 11:31 am
irob2345
(@irob2345)
Posts: 682
Honorable Member Registered
 

Sounds a lot like ABC iView in Oz.

That's been around for 10 years or more, gradually getting better.

ABC's net offerings on radio and TV get heavily promoted. Sounds like they wish the terrestrial output could be just switched off! Like they did with the HF transmissions into China. Disgraceful.

 
Posted : 21/09/2023 11:48 am
helloekco reacted
Cathovisor
(@cathovisor)
Posts: 6640
Famed Member Registered
 

@irob2345 Here in the UK I suspect it's a softener to ultimately abolishing the BBC licence fee and making the BBC subscription only, because at the moment there is no mechanism to charge for it. With the Charter Renewal coming up in 2027 I cannot see how the licence will remain sustainable/justifiable. And yes, not paying a huge bill to Arqiva would be a bonus. Already BBC Radio 2 is promoted in channel idents solely as either via smart spies speakers or the BBC's own 'BBC Sounds' app. No mention of FM or DAB (cf. the Radio 4 ident).

Now, having mentioned that, PLEASE let's NOT turn this into a debate on the merits/demerits of the licence fee.

 
Posted : 21/09/2023 1:03 pm
helloekco reacted
Nuvistor
(@nuvistor)
Posts: 4668
Famed Member Registered
 

I shouldn’t presume but is this just a front end for iPlayer, ITVX etc, I can’t see either broadcaster giving up the chance to lose the data they get from those streaming services?

Frank

 
Posted : 22/09/2023 10:28 pm
Share: