Major TV networks combine for Freeview Plus HbbTV push
The new FreeviewPlus HbbTV push will debut in May with all the free-to-air broadcasters signed up to the project which will allow viewers to watch catch-up programming through their television sets.
At the centre of the new offering will be a new electronic program guide which will allow viewers to watch shows which have already been on up to seven days ago if they have the FreeviewPlus box connected to broadband. HbbTV stands for hybrid broadcast broadband television.
The rollout, which is planned for May, will also be supported by a huge marketing campaign, as TV networks look to get customers using the technology in a bid to keep them watching shows on their platforms, as more viewers switch to digital streaming to access shows they have missed, or before they have aired in here.
Liz Ross, general manager of Freeview, said in a statement this morning:“FreeviewPlus is one of the most important advances in free-to-air television in Australia since the introduction of digital TV.
This is a good opportunity to reform the data transmission part of catch-up TV so that the infrastructure moves into ISPs rather than sitting outside of the network or paying large charges to CDN providers.
Gees, if only my Foxtel box could do that. Like five years ago.
Bit of a mouthful. Couldn’t have come up with a catchier name? Sounds like blowing bubbles underwater.