German transmitter network operator Media Broadcast will launch HbbTV service Freenet TV Connect along with its commercial TV broadcaster platform Freenet TV via DVB-T2 on March 29, 2017.
The service can, however, not be received with all HbbTV-compliant reception devices, but only with models carrying the Freenet TV Connect logo, Media Broadcast underlined in a statement.
The first compliant receiver is Samsung’s Media Box Lite Freenet TV available from retailers and on Freenet TV’s website. Further models are to follow. Some manufacturers are also working on software updates for receivers already on the market, according to Media Broadcast. Smart TV sets will also be compliant with Freenet TV Connect in future.
The free-of-charge OTT service will bring additional linear TV channels, radio stations, apps, catch-up TV services and on-demand services to TV screens. No registration is required. The reception device just needs to be connected to the internet; the minimum data rate is 3Mbps.
Freenet TV Connect will comprise around 20 TV channels appearing alongside the around 40 DTT channels in the channel listing of the DVB-T2 reception device. The line-up will include Spiegel TV, CNN, France 24, Euronews and Insight as well as regional and local channels, among others.
It will also feature apps and catch-up services, for example from ARD, ZDF, WDR and ARTE, as well as a radio player with over 600 stations.
