Product Code Database
Everyone TV Limited (known as Switchco Limited from 2005–2006 and Digital UK Limited from 2006–2023) is a British television communications company owned by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and 5 that supports Freely (IPTV), Freeview (terrestrial) and Freesat (satellite) viewers and channels. It provides information about receiving terrestrial TV and advice on reception and equipment. The company also handles day-to-day technical management of the Freeview Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), allocates channel numbers and manages the launch of new services and multiplexes onto the platform. Everyone TV has been licensed by Ofcom as an EPG provider.
The company completed the first pilot digital switchover in Whitehaven in 2007, and the last switchover was completed in Northern Ireland on 24 October 2012.
In 2015, Digital UK and Freeview developed Freeview Play, a connected TV service offering both live linear TV and on-demand content, including a range of popular catch-up players. The service is available on both TVs and and is now widely supported by more than 20 manufacturer brands. Everyone TV leads development of the Freeview Play product specification which is based on Open standard, working with manufacturers and industry bodies.
In July 2021, Digital UK acquired Freesat the free-to-air satellite television platform from the BBC and ITV, and formally merged the company into Digital UK. BBC, ITV and Channel 4 announce the completion of Digital UK and Freesat’s integration BBC Media Centre. 8 July 2021. UK TV Earthquake: Freeview And Freesat Become One Company by Or Goren, Cord Busters, July 8 2021.
In December 2021, Channel 5 joined the venture, marking it as "the first time that the venture has been wholly owned by all four PSBs".
In January 2023, Digital UK changed their name to "Everyone TV" to mark the milestone of both free-to-view UK television providers, Freeview and Freesat, becoming part of the same venture. The rebrand was officially announced at the Outside the Box 2023 conference .
In February 2024, a new joint venture streaming platform named Freely was confirmed to be launching in Q2 2024.
On 30 April 2024, Everyone TV launched Freely on Hisense televisions.
Before switchover began, around one quarter of the UK public could not receive Freeview, because the digital signal was broadcast at low power in order not to interfere with analogue television. By switching the analogue signal off, it became possible to increase Freeview coverage. When switchover was completed, 98.5% of UK homes were able to receive the service.
Extending Freeview involved re-engineering work at 1,150 transmitter sites across the country between 2008 and 2012. Digital UK was responsible for co-ordinating this work, which was carried out region by region.
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