FreeviewPlus, the service which allows viewers to access catch-up TV across all the free-to-air TV channels (excluding SBS) within the one ecosystem, has added Samsung’s new TVs and a set top box to its list of approved products.
Samsung has released a selection of FreeviewPlus certified TVs among their 2015 range, including its flagship SUHD models.
The aerialBox T2100 is the first set-top box certified for FreeviewPlus and is aimed at providing an affordable way of accessing all of the FreeviewPlus features. Manufactured by Dish TV, aerialBox can be connected to any digital television to access FreeviewPlus and is available at Dick Smith and David Jones for $149.
Freeview Plus uses Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) which combines broadband and broadcast TV, and products must be approved by Freeview to access the service. Sony and LG were the only approved Freeview brands at launch in September 2014 and Hitachi and Bauhn signed on in March this year.
“We are very excited that Samsung has joined the FreeviewPlus line-up and that we are able to provide the market with even greater access to the FreeviewPlus service,” said Liz Ross CEO of Freeview.
Evan Manolis head of content – Smart TV/AV, Samsung Electronics Australia said, “We are delighted to work with Freeview to offer our consumers access to the FreeviewPlus service. Samsung prides itself on being at the forefront of innovation and as such, becoming FreeviewPlus certified was a straightforward decision.”
SBS recently announced it was pulling out of FreeviewPlus, citing budget restraints.