Freeview surpasses 11 million mark for first time ever

Freeview has announced that the number of UK homes using the service as their main digital provider has reached over 11 million for the first time.

The TV catch-up service currently reaches 76% of UK homes with televisions, with the number of homes with Freeview on a main or second TV set at almost 20 million.

The news comes alongside the announcement that Freeview will be updating its HD channel line-up, used by 3.53 million. Freeview HD is the second largest HD platform in the UK behind Sky, which has recently been named the most complete catch-up TV service in Britain after the addition of 4OD.

Ilse Howling, Managing Director of Freeview, said: “The last 12 months have been a landmark year for Freeview. For the first time, the whole of the UK was able to receive Freeview and Freeview HD following the completion of digital switchover.

“We’re delighted that people continue to choose Freeview as the main source of television and we believe our offer, giving people access to over 95% of the most watched TV programmes in the UK, is a strong alternative to pay TV.”

Subject to regulatory approval, a further ten HD channels could launch on the Freeview platform by the end of next year.