TalkTalk has launched yet another new TV box: its “TV Hub” is now available as a limited release to its customers on Full Fibre packages.
It means there are new two different types of TV receiver available from TalkTalk: the Netgem-based 4K TV Box and the TV Hub, powered by Vantiva (former Technicolour) and YouView. This is in addition to its original YouView-based receivers that are no longer available to new customers.
TalkTalk’s Android-based TV Hub box offers over 70 live TV channels, catch-up services including BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub (ITVX from November), a range of streaming & subscription services including Netflix, Prime Video and NOW plus Google Play with over 10,000 apps, all for only £5 a month, with a £25 one-off fee.
Although the TV Hub is currently limited to Full Fibre broadband customers, viewers will still need a TV aerial to access traditional live channels as the Hub will continue to use the Freeview signal to source the free-to-air channels. This means the number of channels available is dependent on aerial and local Freeview coverage. In contrast, rival broadband providers have started to offer fully internet-based TV services.
TalkTalk plans to roll out the new box to more customers over the coming months.
TalkTalk TV Hub features
- Support for 4K HDR Ultra HD viewing with compatible applications including BBC iPlayer, Netflix and Amazon to bring the highest quality video experience to life
- Dolby Atmos support
- Compact device that can be put on display or hidden away behind a cupboard door thanks to Bluetooth remote control with integrated voice control
- Google Assistant, for voice control to search for movies and shows across live TV, on-demand, and streaming apps. Users can even ask Google to dim the lights, or control other smart home devices to create the perfect viewing environment.
- Chromecast built in
- The latest Wi-Fi 6 technology that operates on both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands for seamless video streaming over Wi-Fi.
- Option to increase memory for extra app downloads
- Netflix, NOW, Prime Video pre-loaded plus the option to download further TV apps including Disney+ and Apple TV+
- Catchup from BBC iPlayer 4K, ITV Hub, All4, My5 and UKTV and more
- 70+ live TV channels with pause, 7 day backwards and forwards EPG, and search across live and on demand TV
Source: TalkTalk
Susie Buckridge, General Manager of Product and Strategy at TalkTalk said:
“We know the world of TV can be confusing, which is why we’re helping to keep everything simple for our customers. We’re giving them access to the best in TV entertainment, with an interface that makes it easy to find their favourite shows, whether live or on-demand, without any complicated commitments. Plus, the freedom to personalise our TV service just the way they’d like it by adding their favourite Apps from Google Play Store. All wrapped up in our brilliant new TV Hub, for just £5 a month.”
Christian Lefebvre, Senior Vice President of Video Product and Vantiva said:
“The partnership between TalkTalk and Vantiva introduces this next-generation TV hub that is rich with features for future proof deployment to consumers in the UK market. Vantiva’s commitment to leveraging open and innovative platforms enables operator partners like TalkTalk to push the edge of the multimedia entertainment experience in the home.”
Analysis / A confusing TV offer
The latest receiver adds to a rather confusing TV product proposition from TalkTalk. It previously dropped its YouView-based TV Boosts and stopped offering its original TalkTalk YouView boxes.
It then launched a new 4K TV box in conjunction with Netgem. Unlike BT, TalkTalk’s original YouView boxes never supported 4K, so the Netgem 4K box was a first for TalkTalk. A few weeks ago, additional internet based channels were added to the TalkTalk Netgem 4K platform. These aren’t available on the newest TV Hub, as this is a completely different platform.
But is the new TV Hub just a glorified Android TV box, with a few extra bells and whistles. Potential customers may need to weigh up the differences between TalkTalk’s various TV boxes and platforms. Arguably, viewers who own a smart TV that includes Android TV may conclude the new TalkTalk TV Hub offers no significant advantage to warrant an additional box.
Iain Hatton