YouView service to be launched next week
A market-ready YouView product will finally be launched next week after two years of delays, the partners behind the broadband-connected TV project have confirmed.
The first YouView set-top box, thought to have been manufactured by Humax, will be on display at the press briefing next Wednesday (July 4th 2012).
Some of the UK's leading broadcasters and broadband providers - including the BBC, BT, ITV and TalkTalk - are backing YouView, which will allow users to take advantage of subscription-free video-on-demand and catch-up TV, along with linear services.
According to Broadcast, live television will initially only be available via existing Freeview channels delivered over digital terrestrial TV.
However, in the second phase of the rollout, content providers will be able to use the service to stream linear channels.
A date for the launch of linear streaming has not been set as yet, although it is thought that BT will be keen for this capability to debut ahead of August 2013 so it can use YouView to distribute its forthcoming Premier League football coverage.
An executive involved in the project told Broadcast: "Having a selection of live channels will dramatically improve the chances of selling the service."
