YouView set-top boxes now available in the UK

YouView hits stores nationwide

YouView, the new set top box offering subscription-free digital TV and catch-up unveiled by Chairman Lord Sugar and CEO Richard Halton earlier this month, will be available in stores across the country from tomorrow.

Retail partners including John Lewis, Currys, Comet, Argos, Amazon, Richer Sounds and the Euronics Group will stock the easy-to-use set top box, priced at £299, which is set to transform how UK viewers consume TV. With access to more than 100 digital TV and radio channels, users can also take advantage of the seven day catch-up functionality, in addition to on demand programmes from the content libraries of the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5- all delivered to the viewer’s main TV. A range of quality content will also be available from content partners including Sky’s Now TV and STV with more to be announced over coming months.

YouView features an innovative electronic programme guide (EPG) that allows users to scroll back seven days to catch up on programmes they’ve missed and also enables you to watch in HD and record, pause and rewind live TV. The easy-to-use search facility lets you find on-demand content by programme or even actor’s name.

The new offering backed by some of Britain’s biggest names in TV and broadband, namely the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Arqiva, BT and TalkTalk, brings a fully integrated service to homes nationwide via a broadband internet connection from any ISP, television aerial and a YouView set top box.

Lord Sugar, Chairman of YouView said: “Following a good reception to our retail announcement earlier this month, we are pleased to announce that YouView is now available in retail outlets across the country. The simple-to-use box allows people to search back an entire week to catch what they’ve missed and also combines on-demand services with TV channels, providing extraordinary TV for everyone”.

Richard Halton, CEO of YouView added: “YouView has recently undergone successful trials in thousands of homes across the country and we are excited about entering the next stage of the journey. We are pleased that the service is now available to the public through a great selection of high street retailers and, with the service constantly evolving, it is sure to provide a unique entertainment offering for people across the UK.”

BT and TalkTalk will announce their packages soon and from launch they will offer additional content and services to customers accessing YouView via their broadband networks.