YouView plans multi device strategy

YouView is planning to expand its services from its current terrestrial PVR to connected TVs, smartphones and tablets, according to reports in the Financial Times.

Shareholders, which include the BBC, ITV, BT and TalkTalk, have already begun discussions ahead of the partnership agreement in March 2014.

The Financial Times reports that the expansion is particularly important for broadcasters, who will benefit as the platform evolves into something “much bigger”.

The move aims to target the 6.5 million Freeview homes in the UK that also have broadband services – almost 75% of customers have upgraded to YouView from free services such as Freeview.

It was added during the shareholder discussions that there is a strong desire to bring in other content providers to bolster a service that already shows channels among its catch-up TV options.

YouView currently offers set-top boxes for up to £300 and has sold almost 400,000 since the end of March this year.