Digital TV News

50% of homes to watch the World Cup in high-definition

Tuesday 9 March, 2010

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

Half of all homes will be able to receive Freeview HD in time to watch the World Cup in glorious high-definition, according to Freeview boss.

Freeview (www.freeview.co.uk), the subscription-free digital TV service, will be available in high-definition (HD) to 50% of homes in Britain by the time the World Cup kicks off in June, according to Freeview managing director Ilse Howling.

Howling also said 90% of homes would be able to get Freeview HD in time for the 2012 London Olympics. She made the remarks at a digital TV conference last week.

Freeview HD is being rolled out around the UK, following the launch of the first high-definition set-top box, the Humax HD-FOX T2, in February 2009. Freeview lets households watch programmes with clearer pictures and sharper sound without the need for a subscription to a digital TV provider.

Howling said: “Until Freeview arrived, digital TV was starting to plateau. Now 14 of the 15 most-watched channels are on Freeview.”

Freeview is now the main TV service in 10 million homes, with a total of 18 million set-top boxes and integrated TVs being sold in total.

Jon Ingram, operations director at Digitalchoices.co.uk, said: “Footy fans will be excited to hear that Freeview HD is set to be available in time for the first match of the World Cup. However households looking for more HD channels with a wider variety of programmes should consider a subscription TV service.”

He added: “Freeview only has four HD channels, while Sky currently offers 38 high-definition channels. And cable TV provider Virgin Media will offer 11 channels by the summer, at no extra cost to its Size XL TV customers. Use our postcode checker to find a digital TV service that suits you.”

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