Motors TV, which has been distributed over IPTV to Freeview boxes, has taken up capacity within a broadcast multiplex.
The motorsports channel has been available through Arqiva’s Connect TV service for the past six months, using an MHEG-5 placeholder to indicate its online availability through the set-top box or connected TV.
As of Thursday Motors TV has been broadcast in what is effectively a temporary multiplex ahead of the possible loss of capacity to mobile operators. The MPEG-4 transmission remains in standard definition and is broadcast on weekday evenings and all day at weekends.
“The Arqiva Connect TV trial proved there are far more motorsport viewers out there than were originally watching on our other platforms,” he said. “From the start we saw it as a stepping stone and the fantastic response has given us the confidence to continue expanding. Plus, many more potential viewers have also been very vocal on social media about wanting to receive the channel via FreeviewHD and YouView. Well, this is the result! For the first time ever terrestrial TV viewers can watch the widest range of live motorsport coverage in the UK, as well as world championships, international and national series, and the sort of grassroots categories that are already enjoyed by thousands of fans across the country.”
The channel continues to broadcast its full schedule on Sky, Virgin and connected TV.
