8th Oct 2014 10:17
LONDON (Alliance News) - EE Ltd Wednesday announced a foray into the television market, launching a set-top box and television service EE TV, in a move that challenges rivals BT Group PLC and TalkTalk Telecom Group PLC.
EE TV will be accessibly via a set-top box that EE says has been developed to "mimic the simplicity of a smartphone user interface", and will be able to operate over EE's 4G network.
The box comes with features including multiscreen, allowing users to stream live and recorded content using a new application for android and iOS devices, so that up to four devices can stream different content at the same time. It also allows for customers to replay the last day of television, record up to four programmes simultaneously, and an application that allows for the tablet or mobile to be used as a television remote.
It will come with Freeview High Definition, and said it will launch with a number of catch up and on-demand services, as well as video applications including television partner Wuaki.tv. "Further partners are already confirmed to join the service, and will be announced in the coming months," EE said.
The service will be offered free with EE's home broadband and landline packages, and will be offered at prices starting at GBP9.95 per month for its mobile customers.
"The growing availability of sophisticated tablets and smartphones, and the introduction of 4G across the UK, has fundamentally changed the way consumers enjoy TV," the company said in a statement.
The device seems to be most directly comparable to internet television service YouView, which both BT and TalkTalk are partnered with, and British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC's Now TV box.
By Hana Stewart-Smith; [email protected]; @HanaSSAllNews
Copyright 2014 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Related Shares:
BTTALK.L