• Central & East Europe
  • Features
  • Media Meet & Greet

Broadband TV News

Independent. Since 2003

  • Home
  • Newsline
    • Platforms
      • Cable
      • Connected TV
      • IPTV
      • Satellite
      • Terrestrial
    • Technology
    • HDTV
    • Channels
    • On Demand/VOD
    • Distribution
    • Central & East Europe
    • Event Coverage
      • Calendar of Events
    • Regulation/Legal
    • Marketing
    • Columns
      • Briel On
      • Chris Dziadul Reports
      • Clover’s Week
    • People
    • Finance
  • Resources
    • White Papers
    • Download Presentations
  • Events
    • Events Diary
    • BTN Events
    • Events Coverage
    • Submit the details of your event
  • About
    • Contacts
    • Our Privacy Policy – Terms and Conditions
    • Editorial Calendar
    • RSS & Social Networking
    • Mobile
    • Logos and Pictures
  • Advertise
    • Media Info
    • Hosted Events
    • Roundtable Video
    • Roundup Video
    • Mechanical Data
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Subscribe

Briel on: how smart is YouView?

July 4, 2012 15.00 Europe/London By Robert Briel

A view from the Continent. During the launch of the YouView box, Lord Sugar described the set as a great moment in British television. “It’s not like producing a Sky box, we had to start from scratch, a bit like the first television transmission.” But is it really?

Sometimes there is a grand vision, I remember BSB, a project that couldn’t fail because all the elements were right. Problem was, they forgot to look at the real world.

Of course, YouView looks great, feels great and offers the viewers a lot of comfort and new features. In a way, it also reminds me of Liberty Global’s Horizon project – or perhaps we should call it the grand Horizon vision.

On paper, it’s great – but will the viewer buy it? Why should he or she fork out 299 pounds for a set-top that is basically a DTT tuner for Freeview and a PVR combined with connectivity to IP for streaming and on-demand web services.

Wasn’t this the same product that Fetch TV offered? Only with a – I assume – better UI and simpler navigation and comes with a number of ready installed apps, such as BBC iPlayer, 4OD, ITV Player and Demand 5.

And, wait a minute, no Wi-Fi? Who has Ethernet next to their TV set?

And doesn’t the Vision 247 service also offer a lot of the same functionalities – at least for streaming channels – without the need to buy additional equipment?

And what about a Sony/Samsung/LG/Philips smart TV with DVB-T2 tuner? They are hybrid as can be, and with an ever-increasing number of Apps also becoming better every day.

Smart TV sets also have access to the ‘open’ internet as well as to the local network to view locally stored content, music, photos, videos and downloads – it’s all there. And don’t forget these smart TVs are about to start streaming content to tablets as well.

Come to think of it, Horizon is probably a bigger vision than YouView. When that baby sees the light of day, it will also offer streaming to tablets and access to locally stored content.

YouView better be the very best UI in the world to convince people to part with 299 pounds – or am I missing something?

Meanwhile, broadcasters in other European countries are launching or gearing up for HbbTV services – a standard, which comes in almost every new TV set. No need for additional boxes!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Briel On, Columns Tagged With: HbbTV, Horizon, YouView Edited: July 4, 2012 15:01

About Robert Briel

Arnhem-based Robert covers the Benelux, France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as IPTV, web TV, connected TV and OTT. Email Robert at rbriel@broadbandtvnews.com.

Latest News

  • Viasat Consumer and Canal Digital combine as Allente
  • Amazon Prime passes 200m households
  • Discovery+ launches on Amazon Prime in US
  • Stoneroos delivers improved STB UI for Delta and Caiway
  • FTTH surges in Spain

White Paper

Nordija White Paper Competition: Should we be afraid of giving away our data?

By Broadband TV News Correspondent

Machine learning and AI are some of the big buzz words these days. With these has come a need for getting as much data as possible, since the more data, the better use for it.

Columns

Chris Dziadul Reports: Netflix in Russia

April 9, 2021 By Chris Dziadul

How well is Netflix doing in Russia and what are its prospects for the future? … [Read More...]

View more columns

About Us

Broadband TV News is the Industry’s No.1 Information Provider bringing news, analysis and comment on the delivery of digital television, around Europe and the World.

Broadband TV News

PO Box 499
Cambridge
United Kingdom
CB1 0AH
news@broadbandtvnews.com

Editions

  • Central & East Europe
  • Channels
  • Columns
  • Features
  • White Papers

Subscribe

Join over 40,000 readers to our Daily and Weekly emails. Complete the simple form to get the latest issue delivered direct to your inbox.

Click Here

Advertise with Broadband TV News

Broadband TV News offers a range of commercial possibilities from banner advertising to white paper hosting. Keep your brand at the front of buyer's minds.

Contact: Chris Griffin Commercial Director Tel: +44 7590 522475

Connect with Us

 

Copyright © 2021 Broadband TV News LLP · Log in