Freeview NZ (case study)

URL: freeviewnz.tv
Platform: DTT (DVB-T, MPEG-4, SD/HD), DTH (DVB-S2, MPEG-2, SD)

Freeview NZ case study - A success by anyone's standards

Freeview NZ was the first free-to-air digital television platform outside the UK to deploy MHEG-5 as its interactive middleware – with an initial launch in May 2007 - and along with the rest of the rollout this has proven to be a major success.

Freeview NZ was formed by TVNZ, MediaWorks (owners of TV3 and C4), Maori Television Service and Radio New Zealand. The company is not-for-profit with broadcasters paying a fee to be part of the service. This provides them with a channel number and puts them on the EPG, which is powered by MHEG. When Freeview markets itself it also markets its member channels, of which there are now 18, 14 TV and four radio.

Initially the service was launched via satellite (DVB-S, MPEG2, SD) and that was followed by a DTT service in April 2008 (DVB-T, MPEG-4, SD/HD). Steve Browning, General Manager Freeview, as quoted in TV Tech Asia/Pacific Magazine, says, “HD combined with MPEG-4 compression is an opportunity for the FTA broadcasters to maintain their position as premium channels, while also having the extra bandwidth to add additional channels.”

Signals are delivered by the channels to Kordia, the transmission service supplier, which uplinks the DTH service to satellite and operates the DTT transmission network.

A key business objective for Freeview was to have a platform EPG, providing eight-day listing for all Freeview-branded channels. Freeview regarded this as essential to compete with pay-TV products in the NZ market. The EPG was implemented using MHEG-5, providing a consistent look and feel across all receivers with the additional benefits of considerable bandwidth savings relative to broadcasting EIT schedule data.

Freeview NZ is a horizontal market, with consumers purchasing their own receivers - either set-top boxes or iDTVs. Products must pass the Freeview conformance tests in order to carry the Freeview branding.

Recently Freeview NZ has launched the MyFreeview personal video recording (PVR) services. “With MyFreeview|HD you’ll be in control of your TV viewing. Pause, record and replay live TV to fit around your busy schedule. You’ll get crystal clear digital quality pictures and sound with the added bonus of some of your favourite programmes broadcast in high definition,” adds Browning. PVRs will also be available for Freeview’s DTH satellite service in mid-2009.

MyFreeview|HD has extended the use of the MHEG platform EPG to support the booking of recordings on the PVR, with series linking and optional broadcaster recommendations. Recordings are controlled using CRIDs (Content Reference IDs), broadcast in the EIT present/following tables, to enable accurate recording, even if the programme runs late or is extended.

As Browning says, “Freeview New Zealand took its lead from the successful Freeview UK platform in its business structure, brand positioning, and a number of key technology decisions. In particular, it made sense for us to go with a cost-effect and proven open standard middleware platform – MHEG-5 - for interactive broadcast applications.”

Figures for the last quarter of 2008 reveal the platform’s success so far with it now approaching the 200,000 homes mark (198,938 to be precise). In the fourth quarter of 2008, over 38,000 receivers were sold and estimates put the percentage of NZ homes now watching either the DTH or DTT service at nearly 13 per cent. HD receiver sales now equate to more than a quarter of the total at 53,522.

Freeview NZ does not itself sell receiver products, rather it ensures the compatibility of products to its technical specifications from any company who wishes to enter the market. The tests it oversees are rigorous and stringently adhered to. Products are widely available from electrical retailers across the country.

For a full list of all the manufacturers please click here.