Digital UK opens up Freeview Play specification

Digital UK has published the technical specification for connected TV service Freeview Play, opening it up to broadcasters, platforms and equipment manufacturers.

The specification, which detail the technologies required to design and implement Freeview Play TVs and boxes, was previously only available via formal registration.

Digital UK, a non-profit organisation that supports the UK’s terrestrial TV service and led the led technical development of Freeview Play, said that the move to open up the document follows “strong interest” in Freeview play from UK manufacturers and international markets since its launch in October 2015.

“Our decision to openly publish the technical specifications for Freeview Play will make it easier for manufacturers to bring products to market and help broadcasters around the world develop their own enhanced, hybrid TV services,” said James Jackson, technical director at Digital UK.

Freeview Play is currently available in a range of Panasonic TVs and Panasonic and Humax recorders. LG, Manhattan and multi-brand manufacturer Vestel are also expected to release Freeview Play- products this year.

All Freeview Play products meet existing standards for Freeview HD and include features such as HTML 5-based support for advanced player applications, a seven-day scroll-back TV guide, enhanced EPG data, interactive services like BBC Red Button+, adaptive bitrate streaming and on-demand ad insertion.