Freeview+ sales top 900,000

Over 900,000 personal video recorders compatible with the Freeview+ specification have been sold, according to GfK figures released today by Freeview.
The free digital terrestrial brand said that 26% of all 927,300 sales took place in a record final quarter, with more than two Freeview+ boxes sold every minute during December.
“The popularity of Freeview+ isn’t surprising given that it offers outstanding value – giving the same experience as ‘+’ recorders from other providers, the only difference is it’s free from subscription,” said Freeview managing director Ilse Howling.

“During a downturn, TV viewing naturally increases as people choose to stay in and watch TV as a form of free entertainment. We know that Freeview is an extremely compelling proposition of high quality, subscription free, digital TV, but Freeview+ is adding a new dimension to people’s viewing experience, allowing them to take control of what they watch and when they watch it. More than half of Freeview+ users tell us they can’t live without it.”
Freeview+ was known as Freeview Playback before being renamed last July. A national TV ad campaign which demonstrated the live pause functionality of Freeview+ with the help of celebrities including Antony Cotton and Alan Carr aired during November.