The age-old problem of lacklustre streaming services on smart TVs may be coming to an end, in the UK at least. Panasonic have struck a deal to integrate the Freesat Freetime rollback service into new models of its Viera smart TVs.
The Freesat Freetime TV guide and catch-up on-demand TV services was launched back in 2012 and now accounts for 40% of all freesat boxes.
The service contains a TV guide that rolls backwards 7 days (just like YouView), and offers viewers access to the catch-up services from the top UK broadcasting networks including the BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD and Demand 5.
The service will come built-in to the 2014 range of Panasonic VIERA TVs, whether they use an antenna or sa satellite to receive signals.
Speaking about the move for Panasonic, TV Product Manager, Craig Cunningham said, “We’ve had a long standing relationship with Freesat and I’m really excited that we are the first manufacturer to have the Freetime service on our TVs. Research tells us that when it comes to smart TVs consumers want three things: the best content available, ease of use and flexibility. The Freetime service delivers on all of these aspects and more and when combined with our heritage in picture quality it’s a great combination.”
For Freesat, MD Emma Scott said, “For such an important global brand as Panasonic to choose Freesat’s Freetime is proof positive of the clear consumer benefits of our service. This is a fantastic acknowledgement of a great British media technology success story and this deal opens up exciting new territories for us. We have enjoyed a strong working relationship with Panasonic over the past six years – Panasonic was the first manufacturer to launch IDTVs with Freesat built in, so the deal for Freetime is a natural and exciting evolution of our partnership.”