LG to offer Freesat smart TVs

LG Electronics is to include the Freesat service on both new and existing satellite-enabled smart TVs.

The manufacturer plans to launch Freesat channels on the new LF650 and LF630 TVs, in screen sizes ranging from 32” to 55” and fully compatible with LG’s Magic Motion Remote Control.

In a first for Freesat, LG will also support the service across its existing TVs. Owners of satellite-compatible TVs will gain access to over 200 subscription free TV and radio channels, with many in high definition, via a software rollout to customers.

Commenting on the partnership, Andy Mackay, UK Commercial Director, LG Consumer Electronics, said: “We’re excited to bring the Freesat offering to our new and existing smart TVs. We are committed to offering people the latest technology innovations, with which to enjoy their favourite content, and this partnership helps us to ensure LG customers are getting access to the very best.”

Matthew Huntington, Chief Technology Officer at Freesat, added: “Freesat is delighted to be partnering with LG to offer Freesat on its range of new and existing satellite TVs. LG has built an important position in the UK market, repeatedly positioning great products at the right price. Partnering with Freesat will provide customers even better choice, with over 200 channels, completely subscription free, this partnership between LG and Freesat is offering viewers something special.”

Viewers will see a regular EPG as opposed to Freesat’s Freetime version.

freeSAT opts for Conax

The Czech and Slovak DTH platform freeSAT is set to start using conditional access supplied by Conax.

According to Parabola, it will be incorporated in HD receivers to be introduced in the market at a future date.

UPC has used several conditional access systems on its DTH platforms.

The original CryptoWorks was disconnected and replaced by Irdeto. Nagra MA is used for the operator’s HD boxes and Conax will be in its new HD receivers. The decision to opt for Conax is influenced by the fact that the system is already used by Focus Sat, UPC DTH’s leading platform in terms of subscriber numbers, in Romania.

Freesat announces new Freetime partnership with Vestel

World’s third largest TV manufacturer to install Freesat’s award-winning Freetime on its new range of smart TVs and set top boxes

• Freetime features include Roll Back TV guide, all major On Demand players and programme recommendations through Showcase on TVs and set top boxes

Vestel, a major player in the consumer electronics industry, and Freesat, the subscription free TV service, have announced a strategic partnership to provide Freesat’s Freetime service via satellite on a range of Vestel’s new smart TVs and set top boxes. The third largest TV manufacturer in the world, Vestel makes TVs for a variety of major Japanese and European brands as well as own brand TVs sold by major UK retailers including Argos, Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s.

Owners of the new Vestel manufactured TVs and set top boxes will be able to use Freetime to roll-­‐back the TV guide for the past seven days, access all the major On Demand services including BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD, and Demand 5, and watch Showcase, Freesat’s great programme recommendation service. The Freesat mobile companion app will also work in conjunction with the Vestel Freetime range, offering the ability to plan, record and manage programmes to watch and directly control the TV.

Freetime has been extremely successful since launch in September 2012, with Freetime boxes now accounting for over 40% of all Freesat set‐top box sales.

As the biggest volume supplier to major retailers such as John Lewis and Dixons, the Vestel agreement increases even further the number of viewers that will be able to enjoy the Freetime service.

Emma Scott, Freesat’s Managing Director, commented: “We are extremely pleased to be able to announce today’s partnership with Vestel, which further builds on the strong momentum for our award‐winning Freetime service. This is an exciting time for us – we announced the Freetime Panasonic VIERA TVs range last month and we look forward to extending our reach further with Vestel. Through the new agreement, viewers will be able to enjoy Freetime on a whole new range of leading brands.”

Iskender Diker, Vestel’s Commercial Director, commented: “The television market needs a free smart TV platform that retailers can buy to sell under their own brands. The own brand TV market represents more than 50% of the UK TV market, which makes this partnership between Freesat and Vestel so vitally important. Retailers need to be able to sell high quality TVs with great TV services like those offered by Freesat. Consumers are quite savvy – they don’t need to pay for what’s free.”

Panasonic announces Freesat smart TV partnership

Panasonic is to integrate the Freesat Freetime service into new models of its VIERA smart TVs. It means the rollback TV guide and on demand services from the UK’s major broadcasters will be available across both satellite- and terrestrial-delivered channels.

Launched in September 2012, Freetime boxes now accounting for over 40% of all Freesat set-top box sales.

Craig Cunningham, Panasonic’s TV Product Manager, said: “We’ve had a long standing relationship with Freesat and I’m really excited that we are the first manufacturer to have the Freetime service on our TVs. Research tells us that when it comes to smart TVs consumers want three things: the best content available, ease of use and flexibility. The Freetime service delivers on all of these aspects and more and when combined with our heritage in picture quality it’s a great combination.”

Emma Scott, Freesat’s Managing Director, commented: “For such an important global brand as Panasonic to choose Freesat’s Freetime is proof positive of the clear consumer benefits of our service. This is a fantastic acknowledgement of a great British media technology success story and this deal opens up exciting new territories for us. We have enjoyed a strong working relationship with Panasonic over the past six years – Panasonic was the first manufacturer to launch IDTVs with Freesat built in, so the deal for Freetime is a natural and exciting evolution of our partnership.”

The Panasonic deal builds on Freesat’s strong start to 2014 following an excellent Q4 13 in which it added 31,000 new homes taking its base to over 1.8m.

Czech freeSAT gains Premier League

The UPD DTH platform freeSAT has added coverage of the Premier League to its offer in the Czech Republic.

It is being provided by Slovak Sport.TV2, which joined the channel line-up on January 31.

Commenting on the development, Jim Helfgott, UPC DTH marketing and sales president, said: “We are pleased to further enrich our freeSAT plus package line-up through the addition of Slovak Sport.TV2 in the Czech Republic. This will further enhance our already rich package of channels giving our customers more choice without additional costs. Our plus service guarantees to our customers the best channels available in our markets”.

FreeSAT is the first DTH platform in the Czech Republic to offer its subscribers Slovak Sport.TV2.