Freeview claims top spot in 10 million homes

Freeview said its recent expansion has been boosted by the recent switchover of thousands of homes from analogue terrestrial to digital TV in various UK regions.

In the West Country, which completed its switch to digital TV in September, 80% of analogue terrestrial TV homes chose Freeview for their main TV set compared to 12% for Sky and 8% for Virgin, the statement said.

In total, more than 18 million UK homes use Freeview on at least one TV set in the home.

Freeview+, the PVR service, continues to increase with 1.8 million recorders purchased since launch in 2007, with sales on track to hit two million over Christmas.

The announcement comes as Freeview launches high-definition TV signals in London and Manchester.

Freeview expects 50% of UK households to be able to access Freeview HD by the World Cup in June 2010 and the first new Freeview HD receivers will go on sale early next year.

This article was first published on Media Week