Freeview Play coming to Android TV

Freeview Play is coming to Android TVs following an agreement with Google.

New TVs with this functionality are "ready to launch", according to the announcement and will add greater choice for consumers looking to purchase a new TV.

Android TV users will be able to access over 85 live Freeview channels as well as 20,000 hours’ worth of on demand content from BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, My 5, UKTV Play, CBS Catchup Channels UK and Horror Bites.

The viewer experience has been designed and developed by both organisations to ensure both prominence and discoverability for public service and advertising–funded television.

Jonathan Thompson, Chief Executive of Digital UK said

This deal highlights the importance of both live and on demand content for British viewers. We are delighted that with Freeview Play, Android TV will provide access to the very best TV shows to even more people without the need of a subscription.

Shalini Govil-pai, Senior Director of Product Management for Android TV, Google added:

Freeview Play brings together content from the most widely used providers in the UK. We are thrilled to offer Freeview Play on Android TV, so UK consumers have access to the live and on-demand content they love.

Until now, Sony has been one of the main providers of TVs with Android TV in the UK. However, these have YouView built in, rather than Freeview Play.