YouView launches first public trials

YouView is thought to be entering its final pre-launch stage with the start of its first public trials.

According to the Financial Times, an alpha trial of around 350 homes was agreed last week by the YouView board, which is headed up by Alan Sugar.

Hundreds of people have requested to be involved in the YouView set-top box trial. The box is expected to cost around £200 when the connected TV service – from partners including BT, ITV and the BBC – launches.

TalkTalk, also a partner, revealed that YouView is likely to be in shops from September when it announced its its yearly results for the year to the end of March 2012 last week.

The broadband provider recorded total revenue of £1.687 billion, £78 million down on the previous year. However, TalkTalk enjoyed a 122% year on year increase in statutory profit before tax of £127 million. The results showed a payment of £4 million in relation to its continued investment in YouView.

Last month YouView appointed Kelkoo marketing chief Steve Conway as an interim head of marketing.

Read the full Rapid TV News article here.