VESTEL adopts Android TV for UHD TVs and set-top boxes

Android TV by VESTEL

ISTANBUL — Today VESTEL (VESTL:Istanbul), one of the leading enterprises in Consumer Electronics Technology and Innovation, announces the adoption of the Android TV™ platform for its UHD TVs and Set Top Boxes.

The new powerful TV and Set Top Box platforms powered by Android TV combine user friendly TV Middleware with the Android Ecosystem while delivering an excellent 4K/UHD picture performance.

The products feature an intelligent content search and recommendation engine which provides users with great content offering on Linear TV, catch-up services and VOD domain which are also customizable by Pay TV Operators to create differentiation. They also offer seamless app & gaming experience from the Android™ Ecosystem with the support of multiple consumer devices including keyboards, gamepads, smartphones and tablets.

Turan Erdogan, CEO of VESTEL Group of Companies, said that “Android is one of the fastest growing ecosystems globally with more than a billion active devices worldwide and we believe TV solutions will find a solid place in this ecosystem.” In addition to this, he also stated that “Our products powered by Android TV will be another milestone in our extensive range of sophisticated and diversified Digital TV solutions to access the content and enable one of the best living room experience.”

Vestel’s product line including built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Full-Band-Capture (FCC) tuner is capable of streaming to multi-room client devices and recording to either built-in or network storage allowing users to enjoy a smooth TV anytime, anywhere concept. This platform is the latest step in company’s Android portfolio after the launch of award winning smartphone and tablet series.

* Android and Android TV are trademarks of Google Inc.

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.”