Broadcast News

Bookmark and Share
08/04/2011

BBC iPlayer Launches On Freeview HD

IMPALA, the international MHEG Promotion Alliance, has welcomed the launch of the BBC iPlayer on UK DTT service Freeview HD.
The hugely popular catch-up TV service debut on the platform has been made possible by the deployment of the connected TV variant of MHEG - the MHEG Interaction Channel (MHEG-IC).
In a statement on the BBC Online blog, Gideon Summerfield, Product Manager TV iPlayer, said: "Last week we… made an important release for Freeview HD. We can now offer BBC iPlayer to new connected TVs and set-top box receivers that conform to the latest Freeview HD specification, known as D-Book 6.2.1. This standard version of our application relies on MHEG-5, the same technology that powers BBC iPlayer on Freesat HD boxes, and the technology long used to deliver Red Button services on Freeview and Freesat."
The first product that's able to access the service is a new Freeview+HD PVR from Sony, with other manufacturers expected to follow shortly. The DTG, responsible for the development and testing of D-Book 6.2.1., recently held an interoperability day to push the standard forwards along with its members.
The principles behind the MHEG-IC are to provide a seamless viewer experience of broadcast-delivered content augmented with content delivered over IP as an extension of the channel or network. The MHEG-IC gives access to streamed on-demand video content in addition to traditional text and graphics as well as the ability to support secure transactions.
Matt Whitfield, General Manager, Applications and Hybrid Technologies with the IMPALA founder member S&T, said: "This is a very significant step for Freeview HD as a platform and is vindication of all the hard work that has gone into the development of D-Book 6.2.1 - work that still continues - and the MHEG-IC. Catch-up TV services delivered to the TV rather than the PC are a true game-changer for any platform."
As of April 1, 2011, all new Freeview HD receiver products must include MHEG-IC. Freeview NZ is also working towards its deployment.
The founder members of IMPALA are Strategy & Technology (S&T), Cabot Communications and Echostar Europe.
(KMcA)
VMI.TV Ltd

Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.

12/10/2005
ITV and Channel 4 join Freeview consortium
DTV Services Limited (DTVSL), the consortium which owns and markets Freeview, the fast-growing free digital terrestrial TV service, has two new shareh
31/03/2010
BBC To Add HD On Freeview
There's to be a BBC high definition channel launch on Freeview by the end of 2010. Following the delay to Five HD, the BBC said this week that "expect
07/10/2024
ADTH Announces NextGen TV USB And App
Atlanta DTH (ADTH) announces a new addition to its range of compact broadcast television receivers. An affordable option designed to bring NextGen TV
23/09/2024
ITV To Launch New TV Ads
ITV is to launch two new TV ads which have been created using Generative AI. As part of an expanded commercial creative production service to encourag
28/04/2009
Tim Hunt Joins Freeview As New Director Of Marketing Communications
Freeview has appointed Tim Hunt as Director of Marketing Communications. Tim replaces Rob Farmer who joins ITV as Director of Viewer Marketing at the
21/11/2006
HD On Freeview Edges Closer To Reality
Successful first trial of high definition services on digital terrestrial platform reveals HD ready households can expect HD on Freeview in the future
24/11/2008
Australia's TEN Standardises On Snell & Wilcox Alchemist Ph.C - HD For Conversion Of Overseas HD Content
Snell & Wilcox has announced that Australia's Network Ten (TEN) has installed a second Alchemist Ph.C-HD motion compensated frame-rate standards conve
26/10/2006
Interactive Specialist Strategy & Technology Limited Orders FreeView
Strategy & Technology Limited (S&T), the leading specialist in interactive TV playout systems and MHEG middleware, has announced an order from FreeVie
01/09/2009
TV Stars Drive New Freeview Campaign
UK digital TV service Freeview has unveiled its latest £4 million national and regional television campaign, featuring a host of British TV talent fro
09/06/2004
Freeview appoints new General Manager
DTV Services Limited, the company which owns and is responsible for marketing Freeview, has announced the appointment of Lib Charlesworth as General M
21/11/2007
Terrestrial Channels Step Closer To HD
The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five has announced that they have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding that, if agreed, would deliver High Def
08/04/2005
Gefen unveils HD SDI connectivity and conversion solutions for AV and broadcast sectors
New HD serial data interface (HD SDI) equipment on display at NAB from Gefen include a 4x2 HD SDI Switcher, 1:4 HD SDI Splitter, HD SDI to DVI Convert
01/07/2016
Arqiva Assists With Vintage TV Launch
Communications infrastructure and media services company, Arqiva, has announced the launch of music channel Vintage TV on Freeview. From 1 July 2016,
17/06/2010
Ofcom Agrees To Limit HD Freeview
UK communications regulator, Ofcom, has agreed to allow the BBC to limit the full availability of its and other broadcasters high definition (HD) Free
10/08/2022
Freeview Play Upgrades Viewing Experience
Viewers of Freeview Play can enjoy an upgraded viewing experience from today onwards, after the latest update to its Explore Freeview Play TV app. The