Digital TV News

Samsung to sell TVs with built-in BBC iPlayer

Thursday 14 January, 2010

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

Electronics giant Samsung has confirmed plans to launch a range of integrated TVs that have the BBC iPlayer built-in.

The BBC’s on-demand online catch-up service, the iPlayer, as well as a number of others features, are being built into a new range of Samsung TVs.

The service will also include the Muzu.tv music library and an online version of LoveFilm’s DVD rental service, for music and film fans.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Erik Huggers, the BBC’s director of future media and technology, said “BBC iPlayer has enjoyed huge success since its launch two years ago, and the next challenge for us is taking the service mobile and into the living room.”

He added: “We’ve built a version of BBC iPlayer that can be easily adapted to work on internet-connected TVs.”

Samsung hopes that eventually users will be able to store up to a 100 different online features on their TV sets, with some being free.

Product details and prices for the new integrated TV sets will be revealed shortly.

Earlier this week, satellite TV provider Freesat announced that the iPlayer would be available to its customers with Humax set-top boxes.

Freesat is the first subscription-free television service in the UK that has a full version of the BBC iPlayer, without requiring any extra equipment. Virgin Media customers already have access to the iPlayer, however it comes as part of their monthly subscription.