Connect TV Acquired by Arqiva

written by: Richard Kastelein

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Published on Wednesday, 05 September 2012 20:01

Arqiva has announced the acquisition of broadband-connected television provider Connect TV.

The service allows content owners to operate their own live TV channel on Freeview, complete with an electronic programme guide position, to offer programming to viewers.

Charles Constable, managing director of digital Platforms at Arqiva, which is also a YouView shareholder, said:

“The acquisition of Connect TV will enable us to provide viewers with a greater choice on a much wider scale. We recognise the best in British entrepreneurial technology and look forward to working with the passionate team from Connect TV to cement the position of Digital Terrestrial Television as the primary delivery channel in the UK.”

Viewers tuning to one of the Connect TV placeholders see an MHEG generated caption that either advises them of the ability of their receiver to view the service or takes them into one of Connect TV’s IP-delivered multichannel portals.

Jonathan Marshall, CTO of Connect TV said:

“Arqiva’s acquisition of Connect TV makes this a very exciting time both for us and for the future of broadcasting technology in the UK. Arqiva’s profile and expertise will not only speed up the platform’s development, but help to provide Arqiva’s existing customers with complementary, value added services.”

Around 5 million UK households have a Freeview HD device, the vast majority of which are capable of being connected to the internet.

Launched last February, Connect TV had an initial line-up of 45 channels provided by the likes of Racing UK, Sports Tonight Live and CCTV.

Charles Constable, managing director of digital platforms at Arqiva, said the communications infrastructure and media services company is dedicated to helping viewers across the country enjoy the best possible television experience.

The acquisition will allow the firm to provide consumers with a greater choice of content on a much wider scale, he claimed.

Mr Constable added:

"We recognise the best in British entrepreneurial technology and look forward to working with the passionate team from Connect TV to cement the position of digital terrestrial television as the primary delivery channel in the UK."