Freeview (Australia)
| File:Freeview Australia logo.svg Freeview logo used since 2017 | |
| Company type | Consortium |
|---|---|
| Industry | Digital terrestrial television |
| Founded | November 2008 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia |
| Products | Free-to-air digital TV platform, FreeviewPlus HbbTV service, certified set-top boxes and TVs |
| Owner | Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Special Broadcasting Service, Seven Network, Nine Network, Network 10, Prime Media Group, Southern Cross Broadcasting (shares registered to Nine Network) |
| Website | www |
Freeview represents Australia's digital terrestrial television platform, established to consolidate all free-to-air (FTA) broadcasters under a unified marketing approach aimed at competing with subscription TV services, particularly Foxtel. This strategy coincided with the introduction of three digital channels per FTA network and the nationwide discontinuation of analogue television. Core Freeview features include free-to-air channels enhanced by an improved electronic program guide (EPG), alongside certification for televisions, set-top boxes, and personal video recorders (PVRs) that comply with its specifications.
Debuting in November 2008, Freeview initially highlighted 15 channels for the year 2009. The first new channel launched under the Freeview banner was Network 10's 10 Bold, which premiered on 26 March 2009. Promotional efforts increased from April 2009, with certified devices becoming available in retail outlets by May. In June 2010, "Freeview EPG" compatible devices were introduced to support an interactive EPG utilizing MHEG-5 technology. This service was discontinued on 24 November 2017 as Freeview transitioned its focus to the Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) platform, FreeviewPlus, launched in 2014, which combines an onscreen program guide with catch-up TV services.
History
Australia's digital terrestrial television commenced on 1 January 2001 across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth using DVB-T standards. The shift from analogue PAL broadcasts began on 30 June 2010 and concluded by 10 December 2013.
The Freeview brand was introduced on 24 November 2008, with services launching in 2009 alongside the release of Freeview-branded set-top boxes and integrated digital television units. Early Phase 1 Freeview products from various manufacturers did not incorporate support for MHEG-5.
Freeview attracted criticism due to unclear certification criteria perceived as more restrictive than enabling. The replacement of prior high-definition simulcasts with new channels generated grievances over the loss of regular programming in HD.
Ownership
The Freeview consortium comprises free-to-air license holders: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Special Broadcasting Service, Seven Network, Nine Network, Network 10, Prime Media Group, and Southern Cross Broadcasting.
Although these entities hold shares, corporate documents revealed that all shares were registered to the Nine Network.
WIN Corporation withdrew from Freeview in March 2012 citing concerns about the organisation’s industry influence and operational expenses. SBS exited in May 2015 due to federal budget reductions; however, Freeview lacks the authority to disable SBS’s HbbTV application or remove its broadcast transmissions.
Freeview certification standards
Freeview certifies set-top boxes that can receive free-to-air digital television broadcasts, including high-definition content and advanced video compression (MPEG-4). Phase 1 devices supported HD but imposed restrictions on ad-skipping to uphold digital rights management; initially limited to a maximum of 10 minutes, this restriction was relaxed to three minutes in 2015 after manufacturer appeals.
Phase 2 required MHEG-5 technology to enable Freeview’s interactive electronic program guide and support forthcoming features.
Freeview’s promotion of its multi-channel platform comprising 17 channels, along with government initiatives about analogue TV switch-offs, sought to direct consumers toward compatible equipment.
The organisation has pursued legal measures against PVR manufacturers such as DViCO for employing packaging that displayed a logo resembling the UK Freeview brand within Australia.
Eurofins Digital Testing functions as the official certification laboratory for Freeview Australia, providing compliance assessments necessary for manufacturers to use the Freeview logo and access EPG data.
In 2009, Sony Interactive Entertainment Australia incorporated Freeview compatibility into the PlayStation 3’s PlayTV tuner through firmware update version 1.21. This update disabled ad-skipping features, limited fast forward and rewind speeds, and prevented recording transfers; nevertheless, unlike other certified hardware, these limitations can be circumvented on the PS3.
High-definition
To achieve Freeview certification, devices must include at least one high-definition digital tuner compatible with 576p, 720p, and 1080i resolutions.
Video decoding
Freeview-certified equipment is required to support decoding of H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, a more advanced and efficient codec compared to the earlier MPEG-2 standard. This advancement facilitates either improved picture quality or an increased number of channels. Currently, broadcasters utilize MPEG-4 for main HD channels as well as some supplementary HD and SD broadcasts.
Digital video recorders
Initially, Freeview recorders permitted users to skip advertisement breaks of up to 10 minutes; by 2015, this feature was limited to 3-minute segments with fast forward and rewind speeds reaching 32x. Devices equipped with hard drives must offer a minimum capacity of 160GB and implement Digital Rights Management (DRM) to prevent unauthorized copying or removal of recorded content.
Enhanced EPG (MHEG-5) – Phase 2
Phase 2 Freeview equipment integrates an electronic programming guide (EPG) based on MHEG-5. In July 2009, Freeview secured licensing rights for MHEG-5 technology, which supports a conventional grid-style EPG protected by patents held by Macrovision.
Introduced in September 2010, the Freeview EPG utilizes broadcast metadata along with Content Reference Indicator (CRID) signals, enabling compatible recorders to automatically adjust for programs that overrun their scheduled times. This service is accessible exclusively on Freeview-endorsed personal video recorders displaying the "Freeview EPG" logo. Endorsed TiVo devices also use CRID data to refresh their proprietary EPGs under network authorization.
A High Court ruling in favor of Australian EPG provider IceTV affirmed its entitlement to provide third-party EPG services, influencing Freeview’s approach to future broadcast and MHEG-5 EPG offerings. The decision also affects third-party access to unencrypted CRID information transmitted within broadcasts.
On 24 November 2014, Freeview announced it would cease its MHEG-5 EPG service as of 24 November 2017; this change did not impact the ongoing FreeviewPlus service.
HbbTV support
Freeview introduced FreeviewPlus in September 2014, delivering catch-up television and an enhanced EPG through the Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) standard. Access requires internet-connected televisions or set-top boxes that support HbbTV.
Freeview administers a certification program for FreeviewPlus; however, any device compatible with HbbTV can run the associated applications. Initially, certification was limited to televisions. The first certified set-top box appeared in May 2015, followed by the launch of the first certified digital video recorder, the Dish TV AerialBox T2200, in August 2015.
Non-compliant devices
Digital television equipment without Freeview certification continues functioning but faces certain restrictions:
- Only devices capable of HD reception can view HD channels
- Devices lacking MPEG-4 support will lose access once broadcasters transition fully to MPEG-4 transmissions
Government labelling scheme
In parallel with Freeview branding, the Australian Government operates a labelling program identifying digital-ready TVs and set-top boxes. While Freeview-branded receivers carry the 'High Definition Ready' label, non-Freeview products may also display this mark, potentially causing confusion among consumers regarding channel compatibility when lacking Freeview certification.
Channels
Devices compatible with Freeview display all digital television channels available in the viewer's local market, including those broadcast in high definition. Although Freeview endorses specific certified devices, any hardware capable of HD reception will access the identical channel lineup.
Nearly all digital channels, with the exception of WIN Television stations and certain regional areas, transmit the Freeview electronic program guide (EPG). Despite WIN Television no longer providing the Freeview EPG signal, their programming continues to be listed and their channels remain featured on the Freeview website.
Online services
Freeview’s free-to-air broadcasters initially collaborated to create a unified video platform, leveraging ABC’s iView technology as the leading delivery method. Nevertheless, these plans were eventually replaced by the introduction of the FreeviewPlus service.
Major Australian broadcasters—ABC, SBS, Seven Network, Nine Network, and Network Ten—offer internet-based "catch up" TV services that allow audiences to view programs after their original airing. One of these services also streams selected sports content online, including live coverage of Formula One events.
FreeviewPlus
Debuting in September 2014, FreeviewPlus is a Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) platform that includes six dedicated apps—one for each principal free-to-air broadcaster in Australia—alongside a unified cross-network electronic programming guide (EPG). The service provides access to catch-up television libraries and enables users to scroll backward through the guide to watch previously aired shows. It earned the Best Enhanced TV Service award at the 2015 International Interactive TV Awards.
Availability of FreeviewPlus depends on regional affiliates, with its official website offering a postcode-based directory of catch-up service and EPG support. In areas where FreeviewPlus is not accessible, viewers can still reach catch-up content via third-party devices running broadcaster-specific applications.
In May 2017, Freeview updated the FreeviewPlus brand to align it with its newer Freeview FV identity, unveiling a refreshed logo and a more streamlined user interface.
Freeview FV
Launched in November 2016 for iOS and Android platforms, the Freeview FV app provides live streaming of Freeview channels. While it promotes catch-up viewing capabilities, users are redirected to individual broadcaster apps for on-demand content. As of December 2018, this app was not available on the "Android TV" operating system, alongside "SBS on Demand" and "ABC iview" apps.
Criticisms
Freeview has attracted criticism regarding its lack of clarity and limited technical detail, with concerns that certification requirements emphasize device restrictions rather than enabling functionality. For example, Network Ten’s simultaneous HD and SD simulcast of "One" was criticized because it was treated as a single channel without unique programming, thereby reducing Ten’s HD availability for non-sports content. The certification process for Freeview devices occurs in multiple stages; notably, Phase 1 devices are not mandated to support MHEG-5 technology designed for its Electronic Program Guide.
Furthermore, Seven and Nine Networks provided scant information concerning launch dates for new channels. Initial communications suggested May releases; however, subsequent updates from Seven indicated staggered launches occurring mid-2009 and in October for their secondary channels.