The HbbTV Association, a global initiative dedicated to providing an open standard for the delivery of broadcast and broadband services through connected TVs and set-top boxes, is pleased to announce the successful launch of Freeview Play last month. Freeview Play, a Freeview and Digital UK co-initiative, is built on the HbbTV 2.0 standard which was released earlier this year.

Freeview Play allows viewers to access advanced TV services such as catch-up TV from leading broadcasters – including the BBC, Channel 4, ITV and Channel 5 – on their own schedule. It is built with HbbTV 2.0 technologies which supports the development of a range of features including HTML5 user experience and support for Ultra HD and HEVC. Free from subscription and supported by all existing broadband services, with Freeview Play viewers can watch their favourite shows whenever they want.

“The HbbTV Association celebrates last month’s successful launch of Freeview Play, which was co-developed and co-marketed by Digital UK and Freeview,” stated Klaus Illgner, Chair, HbbTV Association. “HbbTV 2.0, released in February of this year, paves the way for the creation of new services which will delight and excite viewers and these features can be seen in Freeview Play.”

“Freeview Play brings the natural next step in television and is now available on a range of Panasonic TVs and digital recorders from Humax, with more manufacturers set to launch products in 2016,” advised Ilse Howling, Managing Director of Connected TV at Digital UK. “Digital UK has worked closely with Arqiva to build a technical platform that can support advanced TV services through HbbTV 2.0.”

“The launch of Freeview Play brings connected television to the mass market and, with our largest ever marketing campaign, we aim to make it the new normal way to watch TV in the UK,” declared Guy North, Managing Director of Freeview.

Categories: Articles, Broadcast, Catch Up, FTA, HbbTV, OTT, VOD