YouView boxes to be in store by end of July
Subscription-free digital TV and catch-up service YouView has finally launched today (July 4th 2012) following months of delays.
The joint venture's chairman Lord Sugar and chief executive Richard Halton made the announcement while unveiling the new set-top box, which will be available from major retailers by the end of July.
Featuring an innovative electronic programme guide, the YouView box allows users to scroll back through a week's worth of shows to find the content they missed, pause and rewind live TV, and watch in high definition.
On-demand content can be accessed via a function that searches by programme name or actor.
The service is currently being trialled in 2,000 homes, with Mr Halton revealing that feedback has so far been "very encouraging".
Lord Sugar, who described the launch as a "great moment in British television", added: "Our intention with this simple-to-use box is to provide extraordinary TV for everyone."
Last week, Broadcast claimed the second phase of the YouView launch will offer content providers the ability to stream linear channels via the platform. However, a date for the launch of this service is yet to be confirmed.
