Immediate Media taps Arqiva for hybrid delivery of channels

UK media services outfit Arqiva has launched a new hybrid TV service on the country’s digital-terrestrial TV platform for two of specialist interest media company Immediate Media’s craft shopping channels.

Arqiva said it had extended the delivery of Sewing Quarter and Jewellery Maker to the DTT audience via two new IP portals, giving viewers 24-hour access to its content and allowing them to switch seamlessly between the channels through the internet or DTT platform. Both channels were previously broadcast on a part-time only basis.

Arqiva has moved the Jewellery Maker channel to its COM7 multiplex. Viewers with connected devices will be able to view the channel 24 hours a day via the red button. Sewing Quarter will continue to be broadcast five hours a day on the COM6 multiplex, but will also be available 24 hours a day for viewers with internet connected DTT devices via the red button.

Laurie Patten, director of strategy and ventures at Arqiva, said: “Our work with Immediate Media is another example of the strength of the DTT platform, and the ability to bring together the benefits of DTT and IP-delivered services to offer the most seamless and efficient viewing experience. With the continued growth of Freeview Play and other connected DTT devices, broadcasters are becoming more aware of the opportunities that the hybrid DTT platform offers to increase both viewership and viewer engagement. We want to work closely with customers like Immediate Media to help them maximise those opportunities.”

Andrew Gabriel, group managing director at Immediate Media, said: “As our specialist craft channels Sewing Quarter and Jewellery Maker continue to grow in popularity, we wanted to tap into new audiences and reward our viewers with fast, consistent access to the content they want to watch, whenever they want to watch it. Arqiva is a trusted long-term partner, and we knew we could rely on them to help us develop a service that is reliable, user friendly, and most importantly gives easy access to our content 24-hours a day, seven-days a week.”