Freeview+ sales soar

Sales of Freeview+ reached record highs in the final quarter of 2008 despite the downturn, with more than two Freeview+ boxes being sold every minute in December.

Freeview+ sales have now reached over 900,000, up by around 118% compared to December last year, according to new figures from Freeview.

More than 17.2 million homes now have access to the free digital TV service, which Freeview claims “saves viewers more than £200 in the first year alone compared to subscription alternatives”.

Freeview+ sales increased after its national TV ad campaign, which launched in November last year – up by an average of 150% year on year throughout the campaign period, while Freeview’s website traffic increased by 80% in the first month alone.

Ilse Howling, managing director of Freeview, said: “During a downturn, TV viewing naturally increases as people choose to stay in and watch TV as a form of free entertainment.

“We know that Freeview is an extremely compelling proposition of high quality, subscription free, digital TV, but Freeview+ is adding a new dimension to people’s viewing experience, allowing them to take control of what they watch and when they watch it. More than half of Freeview+ users tell us they can’t live without it.”

Freeview now offers more than 60 models, including boxes with integrated DVD recorders/players and Freeview+ built into digital TVs.

The digital TV service hopes the addition of CNN International and Discovery Networks UK channels will continue to boost sales this year.

Howling added: “These new additions to the Freeview channel portfolio, coupled with the roll out of Freeview HD across the UK from the end of 2009 is an exciting prospect for Freeview viewers and gives them even more value in the tough climate.”

Freeview: 08708 80 99 80 www.freeview.co.uk