Receive free Digital Media updates
We’ll send you a myFT Daily Digest email rounding up the latest Digital Media news every morning.
Britain’s public sector broadcasters will launch a digital service that eliminates the need for an aerial to access all freely available channels, enabling them to compete more directly against large streaming platforms.
In a clear indication of the pressure faced by traditional linear television due to the popularity of streaming rivals, major broadcasters in the UK, including the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4, have developed a platform to deliver live TV over broadband.
The new service, called Freely, will be integrated into the next generation of smart TVs, effectively bringing the Freeview TV platform onto the internet.
The service is expected to be introduced in new TVs starting next year, but it will not be available on older sets. This means that British viewers will be able to watch live TV channels alongside on-demand content streamed to smart TVs via the internet.
Currently, UK TV viewers can watch live broadcasts over broadband through individual apps from broadcasters, but without electronic programme guide access.
According to Barb viewing data in 2022, live TV accounts for more than half of all viewing in the UK. Tim Davie, director-general of the BBC, emphasized the importance of preserving the universality of public-service television for the UK and its public service broadcasters.
Freely is being developed by Everyone TV, the organization responsible for free TV in the UK and jointly owned by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5.
The partners have also reached a new three-year funding agreement for Everyone TV, covering the launch costs of the service, which will require a consumer marketing campaign.
Jonathan Thompson, CEO of Everyone TV, stated that the service reflects the fact that an increasing number of UK viewers are watching content online but still desire easy access to the shared experience of live TV.
Thompson explained that about 15% of households currently do not connect their TVs to an aerial and prefer to use broadband to watch via apps like Netflix and iPlayer. However, this number is projected to grow to 50% by the end of the decade. These households are unable to access the free live channels available over the aerial via the program guide.
“In essence, we’re filling that gap. We’re offering a service to manufacturers that they will embed into their TV so that when you go to the live TV experience, you will get a very familiar, aggregated experience but being streamed over the internet,” said Thompson.
Thompson added that the online services will include additional functions, such as providing more details about a program.
Dame Carolyn McCall, CEO of ITV, emphasized the importance of making public service broadcaster channels easily available and discoverable as more UK households use internet-connected TVs.
She stated, “This new collaboration enables the UK public to continue to get all of their favorite British TV channels for free, just as Freeview did at the advent of digital TV. Alongside the important reforms outlined in the draft media bill, it will help public service broadcasters thrive for years to come.”
This service holds significant significance amid the growing popularity of large tech groups and streaming platforms like Amazon and Netflix, which have led to a shift away from traditional linear TV viewing.
Broadcast executives are concerned that next-generation TVs will prioritize these streaming services over freely available public sector channels when viewers first turn on their sets.
The government has responded by proposing new rules in the upcoming media bill to ensure that these public channels are given “prominence” on digital TVs.
Everyone TV stated that the new service will complement the provisions for on-demand and streaming prominence outlined in the draft media bill.
Alex Mahon, CEO of Channel 4, noted that “when the media bill’s prominence provisions become law, the technology to make Britain’s favorite TV shows easy to find will already be in place.”
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
