VuTV streams popular Pay TV channels to Freeview HD homes via channel 238 for £6.99 a month
VuTV, an exciting new TV streaming service launches today on channel 238. For a great value monthly subscription of £6.99, VuTV gives viewers the opportunity to access a premium range of channels – Comedy Central, MTV, CNN, Lifetime®, HISTORY®, H2®, Crime
London, UK(28 Nov 2013)
VuTV, an exciting new TV streaming service launches today on channel 238. For a great value monthly subscription of £6.99, VuTV gives viewers the opportunity to access a premium range of channels – Comedy Central, MTV, CNN, Lifetime®, HISTORY®, H2®, Crime & Investigation Network®, Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Nick Jr., Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Cartoonito via their existing Freeview HD Internet-connected TV or box – with no long-term contracts.
Bakori Davis, VP Commercial, A+E Networks UK, says: “We are delighted to see the launch of another multi-channel platform in the UK that offers more viewers a chance to enjoy the great content on our portfolio of channels, including Lifetime, our newest entertainment brand which launched this month.”
Arran Tindall, SVP, Commercial and Content Distribution, Viacom International Media Networks, UK, Australia, Russia and Eastern Europe, says: “Viacom aims to make its content and channel brands available on whichever platform our audience wants to access them, so it’s great news that Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon will, for the first time, now be accessible via broadband connected digital terrestrial TV in the UK. The VuTV service is an easy, affordable way for suitable Freeview households to sample some of the very best channels that subscription TV in the UK has to offer.”
Anthony Lukom, MD and VP general manager, Turner Broadcasting, UK, says: “We demonstrate an ongoing commitment to be where our audiences are, and ensure multiple ways for them to engage with our channels and content. We are delighted that through this great new service our multiplex of channels will be available via broadband connected digital terrestrial TV, a great opportunity for us and our audiences.”
There are now over 20 million Freeview homes, making Freeview the biggest digital TV platform in the UK. VuTV is aimed at the rapidly growing population of Freeview HD Internet-connected homes that currently do not have a Pay TV package. It’s very simple to set up and use - all consumers need is a compatible Freeview HD TV or box connected to an aerial and the Internet; no need for any extra boxes or remote controls. Once subscribers have signed up via the vutv.com, they will be provided with their personal Activation Code and PIN for a one-off registration of their Freeview HD TV or box, giving quick and easy access to all VuTV’s channels.
VuTV is an exciting new development for Internet TV, which has been steadily growing in the UK, where intention to purchase Connected TVs is high (source: YouGov). Thinkbox’s ‘Screen Life: TV in demand’ research reported that Live TV is still almost exclusively watched on a TV set, representing 90% of total viewing.
BARB will measure viewing for all VuTV channels, providing broadcasters with an additional platform through which to monetise their content via incremental advertising impacts. VuTV powered by Synapse TV – a joint venture between Simplestream and Strategy & Technology – also offers broadcasters unique granular analytics of their consumers’ viewing behaviour.
Due to the premium content provided, VuTV is seeking high levels of interoperability and security. Synapse is working closely with a broad range of manufacturers to ensure their existing and future Freeview HD products meet the standards required. Samsung is the first major manufacturer to provide full support for VuTV in their Freeview HD products, with others to follow soon. A full list of compatible devices is available at vutv.com/compatibility.
David Cutts, Director of VuTV, says: “We have been working with manufacturers from across the industry for some years, both to establish the specification for these TVs and to build the system to use them. We are now finishing off the process of testing and approving the receivers in the market so we can enable more customers to receive VuTV. This is a continuing process and the list of devices that support VuTV will continue to grow”.
December highlights on VuTV include Witches of East End (Lifetime), Beauty School Cop Outs (MTV), Sam & Cat (Nickelodeon), SpongeBob SquarePants (Nicktoons), Dora the Explorer (Nick Jr), South Park (Comedy Central), and Fred Dinenage - Murder Casebook (CI). Consumers will also be able to enjoy a wide range of Christmas specials such as Pawn Stars (HISTORY) and A Country Christmas Special, starring Dolly Parton (Lifetime) and Christmas films such as Tom & Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale (Boomerang), The Christmas Tree with Bananas in Pyjamas (Cartoonito), The Christmas Show from the Regular Show (Cartoon Network).
Notes to Editor:
VuTV powered by Synapse TV, a joint venture between Simplestream and Strategy & Technology. Synapse over-the-top (OTT) services are available on compatible Freeview HD TVs and boxes, 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.
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 simultaneous 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’ Media Manager, Media Hub and Media Player technologies 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.
About A+E Networks UK®:
A+E Networks UK®, a joint venture between A+E Networks® and BSkyB, is a leading broadcaster representing a portfolio of high-quality, ground-breaking factual and entertainment channels including HISTORY®, HISTORY®HD, Lifetime®, Lifetime® HD, Crime & Investigation Network®, Crime & Investigation Network® HD and H2®. A+E Networks® UK launched in November 1995, and has channels available in 76 countries across the UK, Scandinavia, Benelux, Central & Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, and is available in more than 85 million homes and in 17 languages.
About Viacom International Media Networks
Viacom International Media Networks is comprised of many of the world’s most popular multimedia entertainment brands, including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Channel, VH1, VIVA, COLORS, Game One and Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más. Viacom brands are seen globally in approximately 700m households in approximately 170 territories and 37 languages via more than 200 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 550 digital media and mobile TV properties.
About Turner Broadcasting EMEA
Turner Broadcasting System currently broadcasts 76 channels showcasing 18 brands in 23 languages to 125 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Leading brands include CNN International, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Cartoonito, Boing, TNT, TCM and Glitz. Committed to innovation and development, its brands are available to audiences across the EMEA region via the web, VOD, DVD, gaming, mobile, merchandising, publishing or emerging platforms. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS) is a Time Warner company.
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Contacts at VuTV:
Mark Collins, Public Relations | markc@markcollinspr.com | +44 (0)207 205 2700 / +44 (0)7974 215 334
Marie Ellis, Marketing Manager | marie.ellis@vutv.com | +44 (0)20 7292 4928 / +44 (0)7780 995 080
Mike Alexander, Business Manager | mike.alexander@s-and-t.com | +44 (0)20 3286 9521 / +44 (0)7768 508521
Connect with VuTV:
Web: VuTV.com
Twitter: @VuTV #VuTV