TV manufacturers will no longer be able to use the Freeview HD logo on all new models from now on.
It’s part of a phasing out of the brand, that was first introduced a decade ago to show customers which TVs and set-top-boxes would support high definition broadcasts on Freeview. The branding was required because at the time, not all HD-ready TVs sold in the shops would support Freeview HD.
In addition to being able to receive Freeview HD channels, devices with the Freeview HD logo had to provide a basic level of internet connectivity. This was initially used to provide access to new streamed channels that began appearing on the EPG.
Last August, Freeview announced that Freeview HD could no longer be used on new TVs manufactured from 2021, and on set-top-boxes manufactured from 2022. Existing devices licensed to use the Freeview HD logo may continue to be available in the shops until all are sold.
The replacement
Since 2015, Freeview has been pursuing a new model through Freeview Play. TVs and boxes that carry the Freeview Play logo must support a backward EPG, allowing viewers to scroll back to select programmes to watch on catch-up. Freeview Play devices also support HbbTV, which allows access to the Freeview Play portal on channel 100 and the Accessible Programme Guide on channel 555.
Freeview Play devices are also guaranteed to support all the main apps on the platform. These include iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4, My5 and UKTV Play.
Of the main manufacturers, all bar Samsung have applied to license the Freeview Play brand. Samsung smart TVs can receive Freeview channels, but don’t conform fully to the specifications required of manufacturers. As a result, new Samsung TVs do not display the Freeview logo. Instead, Samsung has opted to develop its own platform, TV Plus, which works alongside satellite and terrestrial TV services.