YouView is looking for 2,000 homes to take part in the next phase of its set-top trials.The connected TV platform, backed by the BBC, ITV, BT, Channel 4, TalkTalk, Arqiva and Channel 5 says it will provide the DTT-based box and support throughout the trial. In return the organisation expects participants to provide regular feedback on the fledgling service.
Because of the trial stages YouView is telling participants that not all the features will be available. However, one trialist in the employee trials spoken to by Broadband TV News described the box has being very fast.
It is anticipated that a number of software upgrades will take place during the course of the trial, the duration of which has not been specified.
In addition to the 70 digital channels available from the Freeview service YouView is offering the last 7 day’s catch up, plus series recording and thousands of programmes on demand. BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD and Demand 5 will all be available.
YouView has suffered a series of delays and with consumer trials only now getting underway it would seem likely that the project might now be able to look towards an autumn launch.
However, it should be noted that with the majority of UK homes now converted to digital – and sales of HD Freeview receivers principally coming from TV sets – sales may well be slow.
