Freeview has launched FreeviewPlus, a new digital TV platform designed to give New Zealanders easy access to on-demand video services on their TVs.
FreeviewPlus uses Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV), a first in New Zealand, to enable seamless integration and switching between broadcast TV and on-demand services.
The service is free to view and easy to set up via a new FreeviewPlus set-top box (from around NZ$150 or US$112), and is built into most new 2015 smart TVs.
“FreeviewPlus is a smarter way to watch TV,” said Sam Irvine, general manager at Freeview. “The simple on-screen program guide lets viewers search across a massive library that brings together broadcast content from 19+ live channels and on-demand content from TVNZ OnDemand, 3NOW and Māori Television On Demand, something that has to-date not been available in New Zealand.”
FreeviewPlus offers an eight-day “catch-up” or reverse program guide that allows viewers to go back in time across TVNZ, MediaWorks and Māori Television channels, and select programs to catch up on-demand.
TVNZ CEO Kevin Kenrick said FreeviewPlus is about giving viewers access to content when and where they want it.
“People want to be able to view their content on the biggest screen in the house and do so on their terms,” said Kenrick. “That’s where FreeviewPlus comes in with seamless access to linear and OnDemand TV”.