DURING the last seven days, Simplifydigital is reporting a near 75 per cent increase in customers looking to get High Definition TV (HDTV) services installed in time for the upcoming ‘summer of sport’ which includes the FIFA World Cup, the culmination of the UEFA Champions League, international test cricket, European and US tour golf, Wimbledon and much more.
Charlie Ponsonby, CEO of Simplifydigitall notes:
“Our sales experts take thousands of calls each week from potential digital TV customers, and there is no doubt that customers are now looking to getting organized for a long summer of sport – with the interest in High Definition TV rising sharply in recent days.”
The awareness and interest in HDTV has been stimulated by the recent launch of Freeview HD and the continued marketing of HDTV be Sky, as its number one way of getting Sky digital TV.
Freeview HD carries BBC HD and ITV HD and should be available to 50 per cent of the UK population in time for the World Cup in June.
Charlie Ponsonby continues:
“High Definition TV has moved centre stage for families looking to get digital TV this summer. There is a dual effect of increased awareness of the Freeview HD service and an ongoing push by Sky to communicate the benefits of HD, particularly for watching sport.”
The pick of the HDTV packages this summer
Says a Simplifydigital spokesperson: “In a nutshell, to enjoy HDTV you will need to make sure you have an HD Ready TV; a receiver that can decode the High Definition signal, such as a Freeview HD box or a Sky+HD box; and a TV package that includes High Definition programming.
“For the budget HD viewer interested specifically in the World Cup, Freeview HD and Freesat HD are the best alternatives, but the HD content will feel limited.
“As Freeview HD will only be available to 50 per cent of UK homes this June, you will need to check on the Freeview website first to see if it is available at your postcode.
“However, for anyone who is serious about watching HD, Sky offers by far the largest selection of HD channels and programming in the UK, covering the whole spectrum of content – from ITV and BBC HD; premium sports; to a large range of movies and documentaries. The Sky+HD box also has all the features of a Sky+ box so that you can pause and record live TV. In addition, Sky recently cut the price of their HD box and offer it free.”
As Charlie Ponsonby comments:
“Sky offers by far the broadest range of HD content, with 39 HDTV channels to choose from, including premium sports and movies, to drama and documentaries. But the Sky HD experience comes at a price with Sky+HD, costing £10 per month, on top of your existing Sky subscription.
“Virgin Media offers eight HD channels, including BBC and ITV in HD so that you can watch the World Cup. It also offers ESPN HD, which shows live FAPL action in High Definition. In addition, they have a wide variety of on-demand content in High Definition.
“BT Vision offers a limited range of HD content on-demand and the Freeview HDTV channels. BT Vision is only available to BT Broadband customers. So, if you are in the 50 per cent of the UK that can receive Freeview HD channels then you will be able to watch the World Cup in HD as a BT Vision customer.”
About Simplifydigital:
Simplifydigital is the UK’s only Ofcom accredited comparison service for digital TV, broadband and home phone deals.
Simplifydigital’s impartial experts talk to thousands of potential customers every week looking to compare broadband and find the best digital TV deals from Sky, Virgin Media, BT Vision, etc.
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Simplifydigital. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Charlie Ponsonby
Phone: 020 3159 4071
Email: cponsonby@simplifydigital.co.uk
Website: http://www.simplifydigital.co.uk
