Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2012/09/04/freesat_intros_freetime_next_generation_ui/

Freesat eyes YouView USP for next-gen UI

VoD and live content combined into one EPG

By Tony Smith

Posted in Personal Tech, 4th September 2012 09:28 GMT

Free-to-air satellite broadcasting platform Freesat is to YouView-ise its set-top boxes, based around a new UI that will debut in next-generation kit later this month.

Like YouView, Freesat's new UI mixes upcoming programming and catch-up content into a single electronic programme guide (EPG). Alas, recordings - full DVR functionality is part of the package - are not included in the 'earlier' section.

Freesat Freetime UI

One novel touch: current and upcoming shows are listed in a "now" and "next" array, though the traditional half-hour segment time-based listing is available too. But Freesat's focus group testing found that punters prefer the former, said MD Emma Scott.

Catch-up content is listed by channel, presenting only what's actually available to watch, the better to avoid showing a timeline of greyed-out, unobtainable shows.

Freesat Freetime UI

Catch-up content will initially be delivered by BBC iPlayer - the new version, 3.4; Freesat will get it first, Scott claimed - and ITV Player, with 4oD and Demand 5 to follow "soon". Scott said the service is open to working with other video on demand providers, but wouldn't say if Freesat is talking to any at the moment.

To distinguish Freetime, the name of the new Freesat UI, from YouView, there's a programme recommendation section too, Showcase though, unlike TiVo, this one simply presents Freesat's own suggestions, not intelligent recommendations based on a given user's viewing habits.

Freesat Freetime Humax et-top box

It's not entirely an pitch against YouView, more about tackling Sky and Virgin. According to Scott, more than half of Freesat's users - owners of the 2.6m Freesat set-tops and integrated TVs sold to date - come from pay TV; many of the rest, presumably, are folk who can't get Freeview for geographical reasons and have to have a satellite pick-up. YouView is based on Freeview. Freetime brings Freesat into feature parity with its terrestrial sibling.

The first Freetime-equipped Freesat+ HD box will come from Humax and retail for £279. Scott promised other Freesat kit makers will release their own alternatives in due course. Freetime is based on open standards, including HTML 5 and HbbTV, said Scott, and this, she pledged, will make for lower-cost boxes and more of them. When, though, she didn't say.

Freesat will also offer iOS and Android remote control apps. ®