YouView service launch due this month, heads to retail
updated 07:01 am EDT, Wed July 4, 2012
Set-top box to combine terrestrial Freeview and web-based viewing
YouView, the joint venture between the major UK broadcasters and ISPs, is to launch its set-top box later this month. Initial hardware for the PVR-service from Humax was revealed by YouView chairman Lord Alan Sugar this morning, which uses both terrestrial-based Freeview and a broadband connection for catch-up TV services with no subscription charge.
Originally starting life as Project Canvas, YouView has seen numerous delays on coming to market. The initial announcement of collaboration at the end of 2008 was followed by BBC Trust, Ofcom and the Office of Fair Trading approvals. The final core technical specifications were issued in April 2011, and has gone through considerable testing before reaching retail.
The initial set-top box is expected to cost £300 ($470), although other iterations of the hardware and competition from content providers Sky and Virgin Media, along with app-based catch-up TV services through computers and games consoles, may lower the price in the future.
