YouView launches at the end of July

The web TV equivalent of Freeview, the official announcement means we can finally look forward to YouView.

After months of speculation, cancellations and competition from other internet TV services YouView is finally on its way.

Officially launched today and available by the end of July, YouView offers subscription-free digital TV and catch-up TV over your internet connection.

The new set-top boxes are expected to go on sale for £299 with heavily subsidised models becoming available later in the year from BT and TalkTalk.

YouView combines the UK's Freeview channels with on-demand content

Designed to be easy-to-use and open up web-based TV to everyone, the new set-top boxes will provide more than 100 digital TV and radio channels with a seven-day catch-up facility.

This is similar to existing Freeview electronic programme guides but will provide access to all shows up to seven days in the past as well as letting you record future scheduled TV.

You can enjoy programmes in HD, record, pause and rewind live TV, while on-demand opens up a library of content from favourite providers such as the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 with lots more to come.

Viewers will be able to search the on-demand library in a number of ways, looking up favourite actors, series or types of programme.

At the launch Lord Sugar described YouView as “a great moment in British television” and CEO Richard Halton added, “YouView is easy to use and seamlessly combines the worlds of catch-up and live TV on the living room TV.”

Bringing together terrestrial free-to-air TV delivered through your aerial and interactive digital content through a broadband connection, Tesco will be among the first retailers to offer the new YouView set-top boxes from the end of July.

What do I need for YouView?

As well as YouView box you’ll need Freeview reception for terrestrial channels and an internet broadband connection for digital content and apps.

Will there be Pay TV channels?

Alongside free-to-air channels and content there will be paid-for services including films, sport and US drama. BT Vision has announced it will be airing Premier League matches in 2013 over YouView.

Can I browse the web?

No. YouView is designed to deliver digital TV entertainment streamed to your TV and while it will provide additional app-like services there is no plan for a specific internet browser.

What’s in the box?

The initial specification for a YouView box is at least a 320GB hard drive, 512MB of memory, two USB ports, an Ethernet network connection, integrated Wireless-N, at least one HDMI output, two HD Freeview tuners, a Scart port and digital audio out.

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