Launched in late 2015, Freeview Play brings UK consumers a seamless combination of live, catch-up and on-demand content all in one place for no monthly cost.
Having now sold over 13 million devices since launch. The platform is now the UK’s fastest-growing TV platform, with over 9 million users.
What is it?
- Freeview Play is the smart platform for the UK’s biggest and best loved TV service, Freeview, offering instant access to over 95% of the nation’s favourite TV, completely free of charge.
- Freeview Play is host to over 70 live TV channels and ten on demand players; BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4, My5, UKTV Play, Horror Bites, CBS Catch up Channels UK, STV Player, POP Player and BBC Sounds.
- With over 30,000 hours of on demand content, Freeview Play also makes it easy to browse and discover, with universal search and recommendations, hosted on Explore Freeview Play via Channel 100.
- Freeview Play is futureproof. The Freeview Play specification includes mandatory support for the most up to date file formats including 4k.
How can I get it?
- There are over a thousand Freeview Play models to choose from including Android TV, Amazon Fire, and models from LG, Panasonic, Sony, JVC, Humax, Hisense and Hitachi.
- Viewers who don’t want to invest in a brand new TV can upgrade an existing TV with a Freeview Play set-top box, with prices starting at £70. Whether you have thousands of pounds to spend on a new TV or looking to spend under £100 – there’s a Freeview Play device for you.
How much does it cost?
- The service is completely free of charge on any Freeview Play supported device. When purchasing a new TV, looking for Freeview Play support should be as important as 4K and HDR functionality to ensure you get the best value for your money.
- Upgrading an existing TV to Freeview Play with a set top box requires a one off investment, starting from £70, after this there are no additional costs or hidden charges.
- Most Freeview Play devices support Netflix, Amazon Prime and Now TV allowing you to create your own tailored content package – only ever paying for what you want!
How well is it doing?
- Over 13 million Freeview Play devices have been sold since launch, and the platform has over 9 million users.
- 95% of the nation’s most watched TV is available subscription free on Freeview.
What about Accessibility?
- In 2020 Freeview started the roll out of it’s Accessible TV Guide on Freeview Play TVs. Currently available on a range of models, the Accessible TV Guide is a dedicated area designed to make finding content simpler for viewers with accessibility requirements.
- Designed for viewers with visual impairments the guide has a high contrast UI, screen magnification, and a text to speech functionality.
- Upon selecting Channel 555 viewers will be asked for their preferred accessibility settings and can filter the guide to show only content that suits them.
Freeview Play on Mobile
Freeview launched a new mobile app in 2019.
- The app provides viewers with a one-stop-shop for the country’s most watched TV shows viewers will be able to stream live channels from BBC, ITV and Channel 4 and access on-demand content from BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, My5, and UKTV Play.
- The app allows viewers to search through both live and on demand content from the supported players helping them find their favourite shows. The Recommendations feature also helps viewers discover new favourites across the suite of supported on demand players.
- The app has proved hugely popular with viewers wanting to watch the best live TV and on demand content on the move, and it has seen over 2.5 million users to date.