Freeview Australia launches free service based on HbbTV standard

Freeview's new HbbTV 2.0 standard-based service, which will be rolled out from April 14, will offer a more simplified viewer experience.

Freeview Australia has launched its free service under the standard HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV), which will provide Australians with more seamless integration between broadcast and on-demand BVoD services.

In addition to providing a more agile way to search and discover a world of open entertainment through more than 35 channels, will also allow free, on-demand access to a library of more than 50,000 contents.

The new standard-based service HbbTV 2.0 Freeview, which will be implemented from April 14, will offer a more simplified experience for the viewer. The comprehensive search function will make content easier to discover, as viewers will be able to search for content on ABC iview, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now and 10 play without needing to download each broadcaster's individual apps.

Helen Clifton, president of Freeview and head of digital information at the ABC, has been "very excited about Freeview's new HbbTV service for connected televisions, which represents a significant advance in free-to-air television in Australia. Not only will it provide audiences with a streamlined way to search and discover content, but it also opens up access to the entire free-to-air catalogue: more than 5,000 hours of content."

"The launch of a new gateway to television viewing also means that Freeview can take advantage of the latest technologies and offer audiences an improved and richer interactive experience that will help drive the industry forward. Freeview's role in Australian television is fundamental, as free-to-air television is the best way to make more high-quality content free, and universally accessible, to more people, connecting them across Australia's vast landscape," he added.

Bridget Fair, CEO of Freeview Australia, says: "We are delivering a whole new experience on Freeview by creating a gateway to the world of news and entertainment that is free and easy to access. We can now explore and discover content from the night before or from the last decade. More than 17 million people watch FTA television every week, and with video on demand (BVoD) services enjoying a 38% increase over the year, we have an insatiable appetite for great content."

"Our role at Freeview is to keep pace with this demand and ensure we are constantly innovating to serve the millions of Australians who vote with their remote controls every day. The announcement is also great news for broadcasters and advertisers. With the launch of the new service, there is now an easier way to search and watch linear and BVoD content with access to thousands of additional episodes and articles. We know Australians will be excited and engaged by this new FTA experience," he concludes.

New opportunities

For his part, the general director of the ABC, David Anderson, emphasizes that "the ABC has been broadcasting in Australian living rooms for 65 years. We are as committed today, as we were when we first broadcast, to ensuring that our news, current affairs, drama, children and all our programming is accessible and free to as many Australians as possible. The launch of Freeview's new HbbTV services is an exciting development for the 17 million Australians who tune in to free-to-air television every week, offering a more simplified, integrated and intuitive way to search and discover the high-quality and distinctive programs – both live and on-demand – that we have to offer.”

To ensure the widest accessibility to Australian viewers, the new HbbTV service has been built on the new HbbTV 2.0 devices, but is also fully compatible with all Freeview-certified HbbTV 1.5 devices (dating back to 2014) through the dynamic delivery of different versions of the app to suit different TV requirements.

Finally, it should be noted that coinciding with this announcement, Freeview has renewed its brand identity.