How to unlock more free-to-air TV content

Freeview Australia has launched its free enhanced HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV) service, providing Australians with a more seamless integration between broadcast and on-demand broadcast video on demand (BVOD) services. 

The new Freeview product not only provides a more streamlined way to search and discover a world of free-to-air (FTA) entertainment across more than 35 channels, but also enables free and on demand access to a massive library of more than 50,000 individual programs and episodes, from back catalogue, to current programs and digital exclusives. 

Freeview's new HbbTV service, which will be rolled out from April 14, 2021, will deliver a more simplified viewer experience.

The comprehensive search function will make content easier to discover as viewers will be able to search for content across ABC iview, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now and 10 play without the need to download individual broadcaster apps.

Freeview Australia's HbbTV application is built using the latest HbbTV 2.0 standard and it joins the UK as the only other service in the world delivering an aggregated platform across multiple broadcasters on this latest standard.

The new service also provides a simple on-screen program guide that makes it easier than ever to see what's available across every Freeview broadcaster in Australia.

Helen Clifton, Freeview Chair and ABC's Digital and Information Officer, described the announcement as a strong and positive move for viewers.

"I am very excited about the new HbbTV powered Freeview service for connected TVs, which is an important advance in free-to-air television in Australia," Ms Clifton said. "Not only will it provide audiences with a streamlined way to search and discover content, but it also opens up access to the complete free-to-air on-demand catalogue - over 5000 hours of content.

"The launch of a new gateway for TV viewing also means Freeview can take advantage of the latest technologies and bring audiences an improved and richer interactive experience which will help drive the industry forward.   

"Freeview's role in Australian TV is critical as free-to-air is the best way of making more great content free, and universally accessible, to more people, connecting them across Australia's vast landscape," she said.

Freeview Australia's CEO, Bridget Fair, said the announcement is an important evolution of the broadcast viewing experience.

"We are delivering a whole new Freeview experience by creating a gateway to the world of news and entertainment that's free and easily accessible," Ms Fair said. "We can now explore and discover content from last night or the last decade.

"More than 17 million of us watch FTA television every week, and with broadcast video on demand (BVOD) services enjoying a 38 per cent increase year on year, we have an insatiable appetite for great content.

"Our role at Freeview is to keep pace with this demand and ensure that we are constantly innovating to serve the millions of Australians who vote with their remotes every day."

Do you still watch mostly FTA TV content or do you watch more streaming services these days? Will this platform lure you back to using FTA television?

7 comments

Ah, might be a help if a link to this magical new service was provided !  Unfortunately, it includes the advertisement saturated mongrel channels 7, 9 & 10 so I doubt it will be much use.  We now watch maybe one hour of FTA TV per night, and that would be 80% ABC, 5% SBS and 15% Channel 7. Channels 9 and 10 don't even get a look in at our house. The rest of the night's viewing is either Netflix or Amazon Prime.

 

 

And, by the way, what is this dingbat wobgobble garbage that appears in the Comment box ??

  ! The tinemcespellchecker premium plugin is not enabled on your API key. Upgrade your account.  X

  ! The a11ychecker premium plugin is not enabled on your API key. Upgrade your account.  X

  ! The mentions premium plugin is not enabled on your API key. Upgrade your account.  X

  ! The linkchecker premium plugin is not enabled on your API key. Upgrade your account.  X

FF, a few left-clicks on the crosses gets rid of them quickly, an API in your O/S is insecure.

(O/S = a computer's Operating System)

Yes, one has to "X" close all these annoying items before one can make a reply in the Comments box. This has only occurred since they mucked around with the comments facility. I don't much care, it just pisses me off having to X the damned things away before commenting. The blame probably lies at the feet of TinyMCE.

I'm getting these too as probably many others, does than mean all our O/S are insecure?  More likely the twiddling of  a not so smart YLC  computer guru which includes the annoying DISQUS.

As for FTA I'd be a lot happier if I could get these 3 channels in Adelaide on my Foxtel IQ2 box wthout having to upgrade to a IQ3 or 4 box.. so I could fast forward through the 20 minutes of ads to watch 10 minutes of program.

Can you explain how to channel this 'new marvel' onto my existing (non smart )  TV.

How is is it that this is being kept a 'secret' from the public?? 

How is it a secret, you just read about and it starts April 14 so it's very new. Will not be implentment fully until mid May, maybe they want to allow small numbers of people first to access the system to ensure it's stable before running ads.

Free-To-Air is not free, the adverts consume electricity with an extra length of time added to a programme, multiplied by all the ad-filled programmes in a month, and a year adds up to a few dollars costing you in electricity for being bombarded with annoying, repetative advertising, and most are not short and simple, new vehicles driven over rough roads, and rivers.

Spend the money on Foxtel, or Britbox, Amazon, Netflix or free TUBI, and any can be loaded on the computer and transferred to a TV with a HDMI cable.
YouTube with lots of programmes can be put on a smart 'phone or tablet and transferred to a TV with a Chromecast adaptor or another method is 'mirroring' from a 'phone or tablet.

The 'phone or tablet are a transfer method using Wi-Fi and do not involve a data cost.

Another method of watching favourite TV programmes is to purchase a recording unit of various recording capacities, record the programme, watch at a later date and joyfully fast-forward all the adverts.

If any advice is required, please post the question here, Mak is a computer techie from the caveman early days of computers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once again YLC publishes an article but leaves its readers in suspense by not publishing 'how to use it'.

Shame on you YLC. As for the routine to post a reply Grrrrrrrrr

More about the rollout here ...

https://www.freeview.com.au/news/freeview-launches-new-hbbtv-platform

I tried a few of the options on their main page but found it confusing. 

As for the ...

Had to sign in and not all worked.

:) Anyhow, hope this helps re checking out the product for yourself.

Sorry, Ben - this gives me no links to access Freeview, or give me instructions on how to load Freeview onto my FETCH box.

I have tried various things, including the fabled 'green button'.

The title clearly says "How to".  Please tell us how to.

How To - FreeView

Netflix Apps - FreeView if Netflix on TV Apps, and check if FreeView or ABC iView, or 7 Plus, Nine Now, 10 Play, SBS On Demand are there using APPS button.

Go to Google Play Store on Smart Phone or Tablet

Add Netflix, FreeView or ABC iView, or 7 Plus, Nine Now, 10 Play, SBS On Demand.

There are several methods to put those Apps on yoy TV, please ask a question on this page.

7 comments



To make a comment, please register or login

Preview your comment