Nickelodeon UK, Nicktoons And Nick Jr. Launch On Freeview HD For £6.99 A Month Via New IPTV Service VuTV

VuTV has announced in a Tweet (post) on their official Twitter profile page, @VuTV, the very exciting Nickelodeon UK News that the brand new Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service launched today, Thursday 28th November 2013, making a range of pay-TV channels, including Nickelodeon UK, Nicktoons UK, Nick Jr. UK, Comedy Central, and MTV available to homes throughout the UK with Freeview HD!:

Great news! VuTV launches later today!

VuTV, co-owned by interactive TV specialist Strategy & Technology and video streaming operator Simplestream, and run by their joint venture Synapse TV, launched at 12:00pm (midday) GMT on the UK digital terrestrial television (DTT) platform Freeview on channel 238 and enables a range of premium channels from Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), A+E Networks, and Turner Broadcasting to be watched via their existing Freeview HD Internet-connected TV or box for a monthly subscription of £6.99 (€8.38) – with no long-term contracts.

To sign up to the service and start to receive a great selection of premium television channels, all you need is a compatible Freeview HD TV or box connected to an aerial and the Internet. Then, simply visit the official VuTV website at vutv.com to register a account. Once you've registered, you will be given an unique Activation Code and PIN to start to use the service. Then on your telly go to channel 238. Log in, and channel 238 becomes a portal to choose from various channels. Using the up and down buttons on your regular Freeview HD remote control, you'll be able to pick a channel from VuTV's launch line-up, including Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Nick Jr.!

Commenting on the Nick News, Arran Tindall, Senior Vice President (SVP), Commercial and Content Distribution, Viacom International Media Networks, UK, Australia, Russia and Eastern Europe, said that Viacom aimed to make its content and channel brands available on whichever platform its audience wants to access them, "so it's great news that Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon will, for the first time, now be accessible via broadband connected digital terrestrial TV in the UK. The VuTV service is an easy, affordable way for suitable Freeview households to sample some of the very best channels that subscription TV in the UK has to offer."

BARB will measure viewing for all VuTV channels, providing broadcasters with an additional platform through which to monetise their content via incremental advertising impacts. VuTV powered by Synapse TV – a joint venture between Simplestream and Strategy & Technology – also offers broadcasters unique granular analytics of their consumers’ viewing behaviour.

December 2013 programming highlights on VuTV include "Witches of East End" (Lifetime), "Beauty School Cop Outs" (MTV), "Sam & Cat" (Nickelodeon), "SpongeBob SquarePants" ("SpongeBob's Cracking Christmas"; Nicktoons), "Dora the Explorer" (Nick Jr.), "South Park" (Comedy Central), and "Fred Dinenage – Murder Casebook" (CI). Consumers will also be able to enjoy a wide range of Christmas specials such as "Pawn Stars" (History) and "A Country Christmas Special", starring Dolly Parton (Lifetime) and Christmas films such as "Tom & Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale" (Boomerang), "The Christmas Tree" with "Bananas in Pyjamas" (Cartoonito), "The Christmas Show" from the "Regular Show" (Cartoon Network).

Below is more information about VuTV, from Advanced Television:

VuTV pay-TV lite package £6.99

Freeview HD TV streaming service VuTV has revealed its launch pricing. For a monthly subscription of £6.99 (€8.38), VuTV gives viewers the opportunity to access a premium range of channels – Comedy Central, MTV, CNN, Lifetime, History, H2, Crime & Investigation Network, Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Nick Jr., Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Cartoonito via their existing Freeview HD Internet-connected TV or box on Freeview channel 238 – with no long-term contracts.

There are now over 20 million Freeview homes, making Freeview the biggest digital TV platform in the UK. VuTV is aimed at the rapidly growing population of Freeview HD Internet-connected homes that currently do not have a pay-TV package. All consumers need is a compatible Freeview HD TV or box connected to an aerial and the Internet; no need for any extra boxes or remote controls. Once subscribers have signed up via vutv.com, they will be provided with their personal Activation Code and PIN for a one-off registration of their Freeview HD TV or box, giving quick and easy access to all VuTV’s channels.

With premium content being provided, VuTV is seeking high levels of interoperability and security. Synapse, a joint venture between TV technology specialist Strategy & Technology and bespoke streaming solutions provider Simplestream, is working closely with a broad range of manufacturers to ensure their existing and future Freeview HD products meet the standards required. Samsung is the first major manufacturer to provide full support for VuTV in their Freeview HD products, with others to follow soon. A full list of compatible devices is available at vutv.com/compatibility.

David Cutts, Director of VuTV, said the platform had been working with manufacturers from across the industry for some years, both to establish the specification for these TVs and to build the system to use them. “We are now finishing off the process of testing and approving the receivers in the market so we can enable more customers to receive VuTV. This is a continuing process and the list of devices that support VuTV will continue to grow”.

Bakori Davis, VP Commercial, A+E Networks UK, said: “We are delighted to see the launch of another multi-channel platform in the UK that offers more viewers a chance to enjoy the great content on our portfolio of channels, including Lifetime, our newest entertainment brand which launched this month.”

Arran Tindall, SVP, Commercial and Content Distribution, Viacom International Media Networks, UK, Australia, Russia and Eastern Europe, said that Viacom aimed to make its content and channel brands available on whichever platform its audience wants to access them, “so it’s great news that Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon will, for the first time, now be accessible via broadband connected digital terrestrial TV in the UK. The VuTV service is an easy, affordable way for suitable Freeview households to sample some of the very best channels that subscription TV in the UK has to offer.”

According to Anthony Lukom, MD and VP general manager, Turner Broadcasting, UK, the broadcaster demonstrates an ongoing commitment to be where its audiences are, and ensure multiple ways for them to engage with its channels and content. “We are delighted that through this great new service our multiplex of channels will be available via broadband connected digital terrestrial TV, a great opportunity for us and our audiences.”

BARB will measure viewing for all VuTV channels, providing broadcasters with an additional platform through which to monetise their content via incremental advertising impacts. VuTV powered by Synapse TV – a joint venture between Simplestream and Strategy & Technology – also offers broadcasters unique granular analytics of their consumers’ viewing behaviour.

December highlights on VuTV include Witches of East End (Lifetime), Beauty School Cop Outs (MTV), Sam & Cat (Nickelodeon), SpongeBob SquarePants (Nicktoons), Dora the Explorer (Nick Jr), South Park (Comedy Central), and Fred Dinenage – Murder Casebook (CI). Consumers will also be able to enjoy a wide range of Christmas specials such as Pawn Stars (History) and A Country Christmas Special, starring Dolly Parton (Lifetime) and Christmas films such as Tom & Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale (Boomerang), The Christmas Tree with Bananas in Pyjamas (Cartoonito), The Christmas Show from the Regular Show (Cartoon Network).

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Synapse TV Planning To Launch VuTV On Freeview HD This Week

The broadband media industry news website Advanced Television is reporting the very exciting Nickelodeon UK News in the following article that VuTV, the brand new Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service which will make a range of pay-TV channels, including Nickelodeon UK, Nicktoons UK, Nick Jr. UK, Comedy Central, and MTV available to homes with Freeview HD, is scheduling to launch later this week (week beginning Monday 25th November 2013)!

VuTV, co-owned by interactive TV specialist Strategy & Technology and video streaming operator Simplestream, and run by their joint venture Synapse TV, will launch on the UK digital terrestrial television (DTT) platform Freeview on channel 238 and will enable a range of premium channels from Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), A+E Networks, and Turner Broadcasting to be watched via Freeview HD boxes, through pay-as-you-go monthly payments.

The article also reports that Mike Alexander, the Business Development Manager at Strategy & Technology (S&T), has announced that VuTV is planning to add more new channels in 2014:

VuTV targets pay-TV lite market

Prior to its consumer launch later this week, executives behind TV streaming service VuTV have revealed further details of the operation’s positioning and strategy.

Speaking exclusively to advanced-television.com, Mike Alexander, Business Development Manager at Strategy & Technology (S&T), confirmed that the service would be available on Channel 238 on UK DTT Platform Freeview and deliver linear channels over-the-top to Freeview HD boxes.

A+E Networks, Viacom International Media Networks and Turner Broadcasting are the first major broadcasters to sign up to VuTV, featuring channels such as Lifetime, Comedy Central, MTV, CNN, History, H2, Crime & Investigation Network, Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Nick Jr., Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Cartoonito.

“We believe it will be a great value proposition with the channels we have at launch and we have more channels we plan to add in 2014,” he said, adding that by using consumers’ existing Freeview HD boxes, no extra boxes, remotes or power supplies were required.

The service is powered by Synapse, a joint venture between Strategy & Technology and bespoke streaming solutions provider Simplestream, and leverages their respective technology and expertise to provide a comprehensive and fully-integrated solution for OTT delivery of linear and on-demand services to a range of connected platforms.

“We worry about all the technology, and if someone has content that they want to get onto one of these platforms, they can give us access to that content, and we can do everything else that is needed to be done to deliver that to consumers,” explained Alexander.

Noting Freeview research that suggests there are some 7.6 million Freeview HD TVs and boxes in the marketplace which have some form of Internet connectivity, Alexander estimated that there are currently between 0.7 and 1.5 million compatible and connected receivers, with that number set to grow rapidly in 2014.

Alexander said that VuTV is targeting a rapidly-growing population of Freeview HD Internet-connected homes that don’t currently have a pay-TV package, suggesting that that there are lots of people out there that would like premium TV, but are not willing to pay the levels of monthly subscriptions required by existing platforms.

For channels, Alexander suggested that VuTV was a very cost-effective way to reach the large audience of Freeview consumers compared to using a traditional over-the-air channel which could cost millions.

David Cutts, Managing Director of S&T, said the service would grow and evolve from its launch technologies and capabilities, “just as fast as we can evolve the software” while still trying to keep it simple for consumers. “We have a road map of things we are going to do to add channels and features to the service … the service can evolve from here on in; this is Step One. We think we’ll be able to extend this ‘pay-TV lite’ on Freeview quite extensively.”

While this week’s launch will confirm pricing points, VuTV plans more of a consumer push in 2014, when further channels are set to be added to the service.

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Nickelodeon UK, Nicktoons And Nick Jr. To Launch On Freeview HD Via IPTV Service VuTV In September 2013

Media news websites are reporting the very exciting Nickelodeon UK News in the following articles that a range of pay-TV channels, including Nickelodeon UK, Nicktoons UK, Nick Jr. UK, Comedy Central, and MTV will soon be made available to Freeview HD homes outside of any annual subscriptions, via a brand new TV service called VuTV!

VuTV, co-owned by interactive TV specialist Strategy & Technology and video streaming operator Simplestream, and run by their joint venture Synapse TV, will launch on Freeview channel 238 in September 2013, and will enable a range of premium channels from Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), A+E Networks, and Turner Broadcasting to be watched via Freeview HD boxes, through pay-as-you-go monthly payments.

Details surrounding the monthly price packages of the channels are currently being kept under wraps, but among the first wave of channels to be made available to internet-connected Freeview HD homes are Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Nick Jr. Channel, MTV, Comedy Central, BIO, MTV, CNN, HISTORY, H2, Crime & Investigation Network, Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Cartoonito.

VuTV hopes to tap into a new gap in the market presented by internet-connected televisions, by offering consumers a low-cost alternative to traditional pay-TV platforms. Unlike traditional pay-TV providers, VuTV will also offer the digital channels without any long-term contract commitments.

There are now more than 11 million Freeview homes in the UK and the number of homes with Freeview HD on their main television set is believed to be 3.53 million, and growing.

Barb will measure viewing of all VuTV channels in the same way as traditional over-the-air channels, helping to increase the broadcasters' individual ad revenues.

VuTV is said to be the first of a number of services to be powered by Synapse TV, a joint venture between Simplestream and Strategy & Technology.

From MediaWeek:

'Peppa Pig' and Ashton Kutcher coming to Freeview HD

A range of pay-TV channels, including Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV and Cartoonito, will soon be made available to Freeview HD homes outside of any annual subscriptions, via a new TV service called VuTV.

VuTV: to offer a range of pay-TV channels through pay-as-you-go monthly payments

VuTV is hoping to disrupt the status quo when it launches in the UK this autumn through a partnership with Freeview channel 238 and a number of carriage deals.

It will enable a range of premium channels from A+E Networks, Viacom International Media Networks and Turner Broadcasting to be via Freeview HD boxes, through pay-as-you-go monthly payments.

Details surrounding the monthly price packages of the channels are currently being kept under wraps, but among the first wave of channels to be made available to internet-connected Freeview HD homes are Comedy Central (home to Ashton Kutcher's 'Two and a Half Men'), Nickelodeon (home to 'Peppa Pig'), BIO, MTV, CNN, HISTORY, H2, Crime & Investigation Network, Nicktoons, Nick Jr, Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Cartoonito.

VuTV hopes to tap into a new gap in the market presented by internet-connected televisions, by offering consumers a low-cost alternative to traditional pay-TV platforms.

Unlike traditional pay-TV providers, VuTV will also offer the digital channels without any long-term contract commitments.

There are now more than 11 million Freeview homes in the UK and the number of homes with Freeview HD on their main set is believed to be 3.53 million, and growing.

Dan Finch, director of one of VuTV's parent companies, Simplestream, said: "We work with a wide range of broadcasters to stream their linear and on-demand TV to multiple devices. The content owners we engaged with embraced the idea of targeting the Freeview HD market with their portfolio of channels.

"As the public get wiser to connecting up their TVs, and the TVs get smarter, it's a great opportunity for channel providers to tap into the Freeview market and gain access to real-time viewing data of their channels that can be used to help shape their own marketing strategy."

Barb will measure viewing of all VuTV channels in the same way as traditional over-the-air channels, helping to increase the broadcasters' individual ad revenues.

VuTV is said to be the first of a number of services to be powered by Synapse TV, a joint venture between Simplestream and Strategy & Technology.

Also, from CNET's Crave blog:

VuTV brings Comedy Central to Freeview HD via the Web

Voulez vous regardez la TV avec moi? Oui? Then may I suggest, messieurs et mesdames, VuTV, a new service coming soon to Freeview HD that streams premium channels over the Internet.

Wait, hang on un moment -- it streams over the Internet but it's for Freeview HD? Bien sur. VuTV is a collection of channels, including such televisual luminaries as Comedy Central and the History Channel, that's accessed via one channel on the Freeview guide.

You pay upfront -- VuTV hasn't said exactly how, or how much it will cost, but it has promised "a low monthly subscription with no long-term contract". The channels are delivered over the Internet to a second guide that appears when you select channel 238 on your TV, either as standard channels, or on-demand programmes.

It's an interesting model that turns Freeview into a kind of easy jump-off point to many more channels than the current spectrum has room for. The downside is you'd be flicking between different TV guides, which could be confusing, especially when you're trying to figure out what's on later.

YouView offers something similar, with channels and on-demand shows delivered over the Internet, but featuring in the same TV guide as normal Freeview channels. Seeing it all together side by side makes it really easy to use, which is a problem VuTV will have to overcome.

Premium channels

So which channels will VuTV offer? Comedy Central is probably the biggest deal, with The Daily Show, Anger Management, Big Bad World and wall-to-wall Friends. Others on offer are the sort of thing you find on the more expensive packages on Sky and Virgin: Bio, MTV, CNN, History, H2 and the Crime & Investigation Network. Kids are catered for too, with faves such as Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Nick Jr, Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Cartoonito.

What's not known is how much it'll be, whether you can subscribe to individual channels, or when it launches. VuTV says there'll be more details in mid-September. I'll be right here on the edge of my seat.

Also yet to be revealed is exactly what tech you'll need. It requires Freeview HD, which comes built-in with many modern tellies, but otherwise you'll need a separate box. As it's streamed over the Internet, you'll need a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection too. It's possible in future set-top boxes and TVs will be advertised as VuTV-compatible.

Would you pay extra for Comedy Central and the rest? What do you think of the concept? [...]

Also, from Digital Spy:

VuTV subscription service coming to Freeview HD

VuTV, a new subscription service, is launching for Freeview HD customers in the UK.

The premium platform will grant viewers access to popular US channels including Comedy Central, Bio, MTV, CNN and Nickelodeon.

Synapse TV's VuTV premium channel for Freeview; © Synapse TV

VuTV is co-owned by interactive TV specialist Strategy & Technology and video streaming operator Simplestream, and run by their joint venture Synapse TV.

"We work with a wide range of broadcasters to stream their linear and on-demand TV to multiple devices. The content owners we engaged with embraced the idea of targeting the Freeview HD market with their portfolio of channels," said Simplestream director Dan Finch.

"As the public get wiser to connecting up their TVs, and the TVs get smarter, it's a great opportunity for channel providers to tap into the Freeview market and gain access to real time viewing data of their channels that can be used to help shape their own marketing strategy."

VuTV will be available on Freeview channel 238 in September.

[...]

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Broadcast Reports Viacom International Media Networks May Be Looking To Launch Nickelodeon UK On Freeview; MTV Denies Any Current Plans

The television industry news website Broadcast is reporting the Nickelodeon UK News that Viacom International Media Networks, which owns and operates the MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central Viacom channels, is exploring the possibility of acquiring a second electronic program guide (EPG) channel slot on the British digital terrestrial television service Freeview, which may see the company launch a Nickelodeon block on DTT, allowing Nick UK's programming to reach a wider audience.

The move is being worked on at a global level and David Lynn, executive vice president and managing director of MTV Networks UK and Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, is understood to be involved.

Broadcast understands that VIMN has approached a number of EPG brokers and agents about acquiring an additional Freeview slot, however, an MTV spokeswoman has denied the project: "Like any broadcaster, we have speculative discussions about our content in multiple markets on a regular basis, but we genuinely have no news regarding any collaborations with partners in the UK at this time. And we have absolutely no plans to buy a Freeview channel or slot."

VIMN already operates free-to-air channel Viva on Freeview, which airs series including the Nicktoon "Spongebob Squarepants" and Comedy Central's "South Park":

Viacom eyes second Freeview slot for Nick

Viacom International Media Networks, which owns MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central, is exploring the possibility of acquiring a second Freeview channel.


The move would see the company launch a Nickelodeon block on DTT, echoing a wider trend in the international kids’ market, with the likes of Disney launching free-to-air networks around the world.

Broadcast understands that VIMN has approached a number of EPG brokers and agents about acquiring an additional Freeview slot.

The move is being worked on at a global level and David Lynn, executive vice president and managing director of MTV Networks UK and Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, is understood to be involved.

However, an MTV spokeswoman denied the project: “Like any broadcaster, we have speculative discussions about our content in multiple markets on a regular basis, but we genuinely have no news regarding any collaborations with partners in the UK at this time. And we have absolutely no plans to buy a Freeview channel or slot.”

The company already operates free-to-air channel Viva on Freeview, which airs series including Spongebob Squarepants and repeats of South Park and 16 And Pregnant. However, it is believed that the terms of this licence preclude the company from airing more kids’ content via DTT, leading it to look for another slot.

The company’s plans are sensitive as a result of its wide-ranging deal with pay-TV platform BSkyB. Viacom International Media Networks UK and Ireland and BSkyB are joint venture partners in Nickelodeon and Comedy Central, and the News Corp-backed firm’s sales arm has been in charge of advertising sales across VIMN’s bouquet of channels since 2010.

A DTT presence would allow Nickelodeon to reach more eyeballs in the UK and would provide a boon for its consumer-products division, which would be able to strike additional licensing