Freeview, the UK’s most-watched digital TV service, today announces the launch of a newly developed app for the iPhone and iPod touch, designed to help viewers plan their TV viewing whilst on the go.
The Freeview iPhone app gives instant access to the Freeview programme guide, including HD channels and over 50 other Freeview channels. Features including a ‘now and next’ view and ‘Top 10’ channel list will make it easier to plan TV viewing and keeping up to date with the most popular channels. Users can reorder channels so favourites appear first and customise listing to a viewer’s local region.
Currently the BBC HD channel is available on the app. ITV1 HD listings will be available shortly and Channel 4 HD listings will be added when the channel becomes available on Freeview HD.
The new app will also offer the ability to filter listings by category, search by text entry, or follow viewing suggestions via Freeview’s Twitter feed – twitter.com/freeviewtv. Recommendations are also automatically provided for all programmes to help introduce users to related programmes based on their selections.
The Freeview app is free and available for all iPhone and iPod touch users to download from iTunes now.
Tim Hunt, Marketing Communications Director at Freeview said: “As Freeview HD rolls-out across the UK, viewers can plan their HD viewing wherever they are with our new Freeview HD TV guide app. The launch of this smart app will allow users to cut a quicker path to their favourite channels and get the most out of planning their TV viewing.”
Right now, the BBC HD channel is available on channel 50 and ITV1 HD on channel 51. Channel 4 and S4C in Wales will launch soon.
Viewers will need to make sure they can receive Freeview HD at their address by checking their postcode at www.freeview.co.uk.
To watch Freeview HD, viewers will need to purchase a new Freeview HD box and connect it (via and HDMI cable) to an existing HD-Ready TV. The first Freeview HD box from Humax has arrived in the shops. Freeview HD will also be available already ‘built-in’ to TVs - expected in March 2010 and Freeview+ HD boxes will be available in Spring 2010.
Freeview HD boxes and TVs bearing the Freeview HD logo is a guarantee the equipment can receive Freeview HD in addition to Freeview’s standard definition channels.
