VuTV to launch for Freeview HD homes
London, 29 August 2013: VuTV, an exciting new Pay TV streaming service for Freeview HD viewers, is set to disrupt the status quo when it launches in the UK this autumn.
London(29 Aug 2013)
VuTV will air on Freeview channel 238 and allow subscribers to enjoy a range of premium channels from established, well-known and valued brands. A+E Networks, Viacom International Media Networks and Turner Broadcasting are the first major broadcasters to sign up to VuTV, making channel favourites such as Comedy Central, BIO®, MTV, CNN, HISTORY®, H2®, Crime & Investigation Network®, Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Nick Jr., Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Cartoonito, available to Internet-connected Freeview HD homes.
VuTV is borne out of a desire to offer consumers the opportunity to access premium content via compatible Freeview HD TVs and set-top boxes. Unlike traditional Pay TV providers, VuTV will offer these channels for a low monthly subscription with no long-term contract, providing consumers with great value and hassle-free flexibility.
The concept of VuTV has evolved from working with broadcasters over the last couple of years. Dan Finch, Director of Simplestream, commented “We work with a wide range of broadcasters to stream their linear and on-demand TV to multiple devices. The content owners we engaged with embraced the idea of targeting the Freeview HD market with their portfolio of channels. As the public get wiser to connecting up their TV’s, and the TV’s get smarter, it’s a great opportunity for channel providers to tap into the Freeview market and gain access to real time viewing data of their channels that can be used to help shape their own marketing strategy”. BARB will measure viewing of all VuTV channels in the same way as traditional over-the-air (OTA) channels, helping to increase the broadcasters’ advertising revenue generation. In addition, the underlying solution from Synapse offers detailed analytics of channel consumption, providing unique insights into viewer behaviour.
VuTV is the first of a number of services to be powered by Synapse TV, a joint venture between Simplestream and Strategy & Technology. Synapse offers an integrated, end-to-end solution for the simultaneous over-the-top (OTT) delivery of linear and on-demand content to multiple connected platforms, such as Freeview HD as well as tablets, smartphones, PCs and games consoles. On Freeview HD, Synapse services are accessed via a dedicated channel number listed in the electronic programme guide (EPG) and easily accessed directly by viewers using their existing remote control in exactly the same way as traditional over-the-air (OTA) channels. Synapse allows content providers, broadcasters and platform operators to deliver their services via the rapidly growing base of connected Freeview HD receivers, all at a fraction of the cost of traditional OTA delivery. Services can be free-to-view, subscription-based, advertising supported, or pay-per-view, with content protection and industry-standard encryption available if required.
There are now over 20 million Freeview homes, making Freeview the biggest digital TV provider in the UK. VuTV will give the fast growing connected Freeview HD audience more choice of content than ever before. Synapse is working with leading manufacturers to ensure maximum receiver compatibility and deliver the quality of user experience demanded by consumers. David Cutts, Managing Director of S&T, says, “The underlying technology is complex, with specialist knowledge and experience required to deliver an integrated, end-to-end, solution. However, we have worked to provide a viewing experience for VuTV that is simple, already familiar to consumers, and just works.” Content will be streamed to subscribers via Synapse TV’s secure Content Delivery Network (CDN), built using Amazon Web Services, which will ensure that VuTV can adapt to any scale that the market demands.
Synapse TV will be showcasing VuTV for the very first time at IBC 2013, 13-17th September, Stand 1.B22. Anyone wishing to be kept up-to-date about VuTV leading up to the launch can register their interest at vutv.com.
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Notes to Editor:
To receive VuTV, a Freeview HD TV or Freeview HD digital TV recorder from 2012 range is required. The product must be connected to the internet.
About VuTV:
VuTV is a great value subscription Pay TV service available via the Freeview HD platform in the UK. Subscribers with compatible receivers are able to enjoy a range of premium content via a dedicated channel listed in the normal electronic programme guide (EPG) and accessed via their standard remote control. The VuTV service is owned by S&T and Simplestream, and operated by Synapse TV.
About Synapse:
Synapse TV is a joint venture between interactive TV Specialists Strategy & Technology (S&T) and leading bespoke streaming solutions provider Simplestream, and leverages their respective market-leading technology and expertise to provide a comprehensive and fully-integrated solution for over-the-top (OTT) delivery of linear and on-demand services to a range of connected platforms, including UK Freeview, PCs, tablets, smart-phones and games consoles.
About Simplestream:
Simplestream, founded in 2010, has grown to become a leading provider of multi-platform live streaming and catch-up TV services to broadcast and media companies. Its cloud based CatchupTV, Media Manager and TVPlayer products simplify over the top (OTT) video operations and work-flows. Offering a cost-effective SaaS pricing model, Simplestream's services are optimised for the sports, music, news, entertainment and teleshopping sectors.
About Strategy & Technology:
S&T is an independent software technology company focused on providing solutions for the development and deployment of interactive TV services based on open international standards. In particular, S&T has been a leader in the use of the MHEG-5 interactive TV standard for over 15 years.
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