TalkTalk is signing up TV customers to test drive a software update which will combine its broadband streaming TV channels with Freeview channels in the YouView TV Guide.
TalkTalk TV users will no longer need to launch the TalkTalk Player to see their pay-TV channels such as Sky 1 when the upgrade is installed.
The trial is unlikely to signal an imminent upgrade: TalkTalk Labs says it will start small and grow to hundreds of users over ‘the coming months’.
Read Recombu Digital’s guide to TalkTalk TV on YouViewNaomi Daly, trials manager at TalkTalk, wrote: “We delighted to tell you that we are ready to take the next step in our TV journey by introducing internet channels such as Nickelodeon, MTV and National Geographic currently listed in the TalkTalk player into the YouView TV Guide which will bring together both the Freeview channels and all our fantastic TalkTalk channels into one integrated guide.”
TalkTalk has offered paid-for streaming TV and on-demand TV and films since its launch in September 2012, with a separate programme guide provided through the TalkTalk Player.
The upgrade will apply only to TalkTalk’s Huawei-made YouView box on a TalkTalk broadband connection, although BT Vision and YouView are working on similar upgrades for the Humax YouView box.
As well as basic usability and the integration of TalkTalk’s online programme information with YouView’s programme data broadcast over-the-air via Freeview, the upgrade trial is likely to test the behaviour of the YouView guide as customers turn TalkTalk TV Boosts on and off on a monthly basis, and ensure that TalkTalk TV users can record from their streaming channels just as they can with the broadcast channels.
TalkTalk TV customers who wish to take part in the trial can apply at TalkTalk Labs, and will be notified of their involvement on or around August 9.
Thanks to YouView Update for the tip-off.
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