The new BBC backed terrestrial digital TV service goes live this week, though without the glitz of the launch of its doomed predecessor ITV Digital. Word is much of the new service’s marketing budget will be spent on providing point of sale material to retailers, manning an information line and developing a new website, freeview.co.uk. The service’s owners hope that an improved reception, their package of free channels and marketing campaigns from set-top box manufacturers will be enough to raise public awareness of the service. The new service will initially offer viewers 24 television channels and 12 radio stations, including two music TV channels (one from MTV, one from EMAP) and digital radio stations BBC 1 Xtra, BBC 6Music, Jazz FM, Kiss, Smash Hits and Kerrang.
Oct 28, 2002
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1 min read
Freeview launches quietly without ITV Digital's fanfare
The BBC-backed Freeview terrestrial digital TV service goes live this week with a low-key launch, offering 24 TV channels and 12 radio stations including two music TV channels.