Freeview says catch-up is UK's favourite viewing tech

Freeview customers are keen on catch-up and on-demand services but are less convinced about the benefits of 3D content, according to a new study.

Audience research conducted by the free-to-air platform found that catch-up and on-demand TV are the favoured viewing technologies among Freeview households, with scores of 62 and 59 per cent respectively.

In contrast, only 19 per cent of respondents cited 3D as their favoured technology, potentially throwing doubt on the BBC's decision to broadcast parts of the upcoming Olympic Games - including the men's 100m final - in three dimensions.

Backwards electronic programme guide services, which allow users to scroll backwards through the channel listings and stream shows that have already been aired, scored 51 per cent, while home networking appealed to 46 per cent.

Other technologies to make the list included remote record, mobile TV and second screen viewing.

Ilse Howling, managing director of Freeview, said: "Viewers like watching television and they like technology that helps them do that more easily."

In February, the BBC's director for London 2012 Roger Mosey explained that the decision to show only parts of the Games in 3D was broadly in line with demand for the technology.