Subscription free TV service

If you haven't already heard about 'YouView' it's likely you will do soon as it's set to be the BUZZ word when it comes to free TV. So what's the hype all about? Well, 'YouView' is a subscription free TV service that combines both regular terrestrial TV and broadband streamed digital TV. This means that you can watch live TV through a YouView set top box via a regular TV aerial, or switch to a program via broadband that you missed last week without having pre-recorded it.

What does the 'YouView' Box do?

A 'YouView' box is very much like a high-end Free View recorder, with the added benefit of being able to stream programs from BBC iPlayer 4OD, ITV and Demand 5.  It's recommended that you have a minimum broadband speed of 3Mb in order to enjoy seamless viewing. Be aware that watching TV using your broadband connection will use up a lot of your data allowance, so it's worth making sure that you're on an unlimited broadband package. From the aerial side of your 'YouView' box you can receive over 70 digital channels to watch live or record directly to your 'YouView' box. 'YouView' also supports full HD and can be connected via a hdmi cable or scart lead.

Can 'YouView' compete with Sky and Virgin Media?

'YouView' has been in the pipeline for a while and has taken its time getting to market. Because of this, some of the wow factor has been lost. This makes it unlikely to gain many customers from Sky TV, Virgin Media or those who have already invested in a television with broadband enabled services.

Get your hands on a free 'YouView' Box

Despite its slow start, 'YouView' is still going to be a market player. With investors including the BIG '4' TV channels (The BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5), BT and TalkTalk it has excellent foundations on which to build. But, if you think that 'YouView' could have a place in your home, you might have to wait a little longer to get your hands on it. No exact launch date has been announced but we expect them to be on the shelves by mid September 2012. Although 'YouView' is subscription free, the set top box has a price tag of £299 (BBC TV licence fees still applies). Currently, new customers switching to 'TalkTalk TV Plus' can get their hands on a 'YouView' box for FREE (check the T&C's on our TalkTalk Broadband Deals). It's likely that BT will follow suit and offer its new broadband customers a discounted 'YouView' Box, but no price has been set as yet. Check out our latest BT Broadband offers.