Panasonic announces smart TV partnership with Freesat

Panasonic has today announced a smart TV partnership with Freesat, the UK’s free-to-air satellite platform currently in 1.8 million homes.
The landmark deal will see Freesat’s ‘Freetime’ catch-up TV service available in all new Panasonic VIERA smart TVs—whether homes receive their TV via satellite or through an aerial (DTT).
The Freetime service enables consumers to scroll back through their TV guide for the past seven days and includes access to all of the UK public service broadcasting on-demand services—BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD and Demand 5. In addition, consumers will receive daily programme recommendations.
Launched in September 2012, Freetime boxes now account for over 40% of all Freesat set-top-box sales.

Emma Scott, Freesat’s Managing Director, commented: “We are delighted that Panasonic has chosen the award-winning Freetime service for its 2014 VIERA TV range and placed it at the heart of free-to-air TV in the UK.

“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.”