TalkTalk to test its YouView service in early 2012

Digital set-top boxes, Tech Digest news, TVs
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YouView, the venture that is looking to bring on-demand video and Freeview together, is to start a friends and family testing period starting in early 2012. The service is looking to be a catch up service that is based on your TV so you dont have to resort to watching it on a computer.

The service will be free from all TV contracts, with the set top box you will get all Freeview or Freesat channels with the inclusion of the last seven days catch up TV. Also a choice of on-demand and pay TV for films, sports and some US drama.

The service is backed by many of the UK’s largest broadcasters including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and BT. TalkTalk, known for its broadband services, will be giving 3000 of its employees the YouView set top boxes, made with manufacturer Huawei, to “focus on the end to end customer experience.”

Following this trail a full launch will follow with each and every one of the 8 million Freeview customers a target for the YouView service. The company stated, “The launch of YouView next year will be a major development for TalkTalk and we are on track to offer a value for money product of phone, broadband and TV in spring 2012.”

TalkTalk will be looking to undermine the more expensive phone, TV and internet services of their main competitors Virgin and Sky, perhaps hoping to steal a few customers who feel they are being over charged. But they reamin true to giving Freeview customers something extra to their packages.

TalkTalk have invested heavily in the set top box with four million pounds already invested and a contract between YouView’s partners to cover a hundred and fifteen million pound budget which will include covering development, launch and the first four years of operating.

Greg Collins
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