Freeview announces £125m investment over the next five years
UK broadcasting companies have signed a new five-year agreement to accelerate Freeview’s transition to a fully hybrid platform, providing the best in free-to-view live and on-demand TV.
The collaboration between BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and network operator Arqiva – the four shareholders of Digital UK – will see an investment of £125 million over the next five years to build on the success of Freeview Play, the UK market leader in free-to-view connected TV.
Alongside the ongoing support for the Freeview platform, new developments will include a mobile app and improvements in content discoverability and navigation.
Since launch in 2015, more than three-and-a-half million Freeview Play products have been sold in the UK from brands including Panasonic, LG, Sony, and Toshiba, accounting for 60% of smart TV sales. The service gives UK viewers a seamless combination of live and on-demand content all in one place with no monthly subscription.
Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Digital UK, said: “As the UK’s TV landscape becomes increasingly impacted by global players, this new commitment from our shareholders is a major boost for UK viewers. Building on this spirit of collaboration, we will not only safeguard free-to-view TV but reinvent it for a new age of viewing.”
