Arqiva has acquired Connect TV, the OTT provider that is using internet connected Freeview devices to reach a wider audience.
Over 70 channels are available via the Connect TV service including Racing UK, Sports Tonight Live, CCTV and French, Greek, Polish and Turkish programming from the Vision TV Network.
Charles Constable, managing director of digital Platforms at Arqiva, which is also a YouView shareholder, said: “The acquisition of Connect TV will enable us to provide viewers with a greater choice on a much wider scale. We recognise the best in British entrepreneurial technology and look forward to working with the passionate team from Connect TV to cement the position of Digital Terrestrial Television as the primary delivery channel in the UK.”
Viewers tuning to one of the Connect TV placeholders see an MHEG generated caption that either advises them of the ability of their receiver to view the service or takes them into one of Connect TV’s IP-delivered multichannel portals.
Jonathan Marshall, CTO of Connect TV said “Arqiva’s acquisition of Connect TV makes this a very exciting time both for us and for the future of broadcasting technology in the UK. Arqiva’s profile and expertise will not only speed up the platform’s development, but help to provide Arqiva’s existing customers with complementary, value added services.”
Around 5 million UK households have a Freeview HD device, the vast majority of which are capable of being connected to the internet.
