Sales Of Freeview HD Passes 1 Million Milestone

LONDON — Freeview, the subscription-free digital TV service today announced that sales of Freeview HD TVs and boxes have reached 1.2 million. In the nine month period after launch, Freeview estimates that 642,000 homes are now watching Freeview HD.

The figure also reflects the success of HDTV sales over the Christmas period. Freeview HD Televisions, which accounted for nearly a quarter (22%) of the iDTV market in December, received a festive sales boost during the week after Christmas with week-on-week sales up by 378%.
Sales of Freeview+HD recorders were boosted in the week after Christmas (+118%) and during December were outselling Freeview HD boxes by two to one.

A further two million homes will be able to enjoy the first Royal Wedding in high definition as the Central and Anglia regions begin digital switchover before Prince William and Kate Middleton tie the knot on 29th April 2011. By the end of next year, virtually the whole country (98.5%) will be able to receive Freeview HD.

Today, there are more than 150 Freeview HD boxes and TVs available to buy starting from £55 for a Freeview HD box, £200 for a Freeview+HD box and £300 for a Freeview HDTV. Freeview HD offers viewers access to BBC One HD, the BBC HD Channel, ITV1 HD and C4 HD in addition to the most watched channels in standard definition.
Ilse Howling, Freeview’s Managing Director says: “Reaching this milestone within the first year of launching Freeview HD is a great achievement. We know from talking to Freeview viewers that having high definition is becoming the standard when considering what type of equipment to buy. As Freeview HD continues to roll out to new areas of the UK this year, it’s exciting that Freeview can meet this need by offering quality HD channels without a subscription.”