Sony has announced that most of its 2015 range of Bravia TVs will include YouView.
The new range of Sony sets, most of which will also feature Android TV, will let viewers scroll back through programme guides and watch content from BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD and Demand 5.
As well as that, users will also be able to use Android TV to search for programmes across multiple on-demand services including Netflix and Google Play Movies & TV, plus other Android apps, games and music.
Check out Sony’s 2015 BRAVIA TVs
John Anderson, head of Sony in the UK and Ireland, said: “The way we watch TV is changing, with more demand than ever for a large range of content, when we want it, how we want it. We’re delighted to be the first manufacturer in the UK to announce the addition of YouView to our range of TVs.
“We believe that our new BRAVIA range now has an unparalleled combination of Sony’s fantastic picture quality, fantastic design and the widest choice of content ever complete with Sony High Resolution Audio.”
While Richard Halton, CEO of YouView, added “We are thrilled to announce a major collaboration with Sony on our first ever project to make YouView available on TVs. This exciting YouView and Sony partnership will create a deep integration of YouView’s functionality within the new Sony TV range, built on the Android platform. It will offer everything you’d expect from YouView including our iconic seamless and easy to use TV guide, giving customers simple access to the live and catch up TV they love.”
It’s not clear if the two ecosystems, both of which promise access to a wealth of catch-up and on-demand content, will be integrated or exists as separate interfaces.
What is clear is that from launch, you won’t be able to tap into things like Dave on Demand or Netflix. At least not right away. A YouView spokesperson said: “We wanted to launch the TV with the core YouView proposition, as we know these players remain very popular with customers. There’s no reason why other players or IP channels can’t be added in future iterations of the YouView via Sony TV offering.”
Aside from that, only a vague ‘Summer 2015’ launch date has been given for YouView on Sony’s 2015 BRAVIA TVs so far.
Update: This article has been amended to clarify that only catch-up services from the Public Service Broadcasters – BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 – will be available from launch.
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