The UK DTT platform Freeview has recorded the highest ever number of households receiving the service on the main TV set.
Over 11 million households have Freeview on the main screen with 20 million – 76% of UK television homes – watching Freeview on either the primary or secondary set.
Ilse Howling, managing director of Freeview, said: “The last 12 months have been a landmark year for Freeview. For the first time, the whole of the UK was able to receive Freeview and Freeview HD following the completion of digital switchover. “We’re delighted that people continue to choose Freeview as the main source of television and we believe our offer, giving people access to over 95% of the most watched TV programmes in the UK, is a strong alternative to pay TV.”
On Tuesday BBC Two HD replaced BBC HD in the UK with Freeview suggesting a further 10 HD channels could launch on its platform before the end of next year.
Three years since launch, cumulative Freeview HD equipment sales stand at 7.6 million and the total number of homes with Freeview HD on their main set has reached 3.53 million, making Freeview HD the second biggest HD platform in the UK.
Month-on-month, HD penetration has increased to its highest share of sales to date; Freeview+HD represented 60% of total Freeview+ sales and Freeview HDTVs accounted for 41% of total IDTV sales in January. Freeview+HD box sales have increased 24% year-on-year.
Typically FreeviewHD boxes are also capable of receiving on demand services.
Separately, the BBC has reshuffled its line-up on the Sky platform. BBC One HD is now on 141, the new BBC Two HD 142 and Gaelic language service BBC Alba on 143.
