Demand 5 comes to Freesat’s Free Time

Freesat has today announced the launch of Demand 5 on its service Free Time, which will join other on-demand platforms including 4oD, ITV Player and BBC iPlayer. Freesat is now the only satellite TV provider with all full player apps.

The news follows reports that Freesat is expected to outpace Sky in the next quarter of growth, after adding 145,000 homes to the service in the last twelve months.

The addition of Demand 5 offers Freesat viewers more than 600 catch-up and archive programmes from Channel 5, including the ability to catch up in the Free Time backwards electronic programme guide. Programmes will include Big Brother UK, The Walking Dead and Neighbours.

“As the consumer appetite for video on-demand grows, Freesat now offers viewer access to the four largest UK catch-up TV players, which account for 80% of long form on-demand viewing today,” said Emma Scott, Freesat’s managing director. “We’re delighted that Freesat viewers can now enjoy all their favourite catch up TV in one place, for free.”

Paul Thornton-Jones, Channel 5’s head of digital media, added: “We’re very pleased to be adding Demand 5 to the Freesat Free Time service, further adding to the wide range of platforms and devices from which viewers can catch up on their favourite Channel 5 programmes and access a significant archive of our shows.”

Freesat’s Free Time platform launched last Autumn. Future plans include a remote record and remote control app for phones and tablets, as well as the introduction of additional movie and music services.