Connect TV, the UK’s connected TV platform, has revealed that its recent launches means it now provides more TV channels to UK viewers than Freeview and is on track to have double the number of channels of the UK’s terrestrial operator by the end of 2012.

“The latest launches demonstrate the value of our platform and now brings the number of channels on the Connect TV platform to 70, so we’ve passed Freeview and are ahead of schedule to meet our launch promise of doubling the size of the terrestrial platform by the end of 2012,” said Phil Walder, Managing Director, Connect TV. “Because our connected platform is available to any Freeview HD compatible TV or set-top it’s going to be a very long time before other connected TV platforms in the UK can even get close to the numbers of consumers capable of enjoying Connect TV.”

Connect TV launched its connected TV service with an initial lineup of 45 Internet delivered channels in February 2012. The service enables viewers to access connected TV services directly from the Freeview menu or Electronic Programme Guide (EPG). The service works on all compliant Freeview HD devices, which are already in around 5 million UK households, and will reach 10 million by the end of the year.

“Our innovative MHEG linking solution gives our connected and interactive platform a number of major advantages over rival platforms: the consumer doesn’t need to invest in a new set-top box, in turn this means that we can address five million households right now, and because we’re just linking through MHEG our addressable audience will grow to almost all UK homes by the end of 2014,” said Jonathan Marshall, CTO, Connect TV.

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