A few more thoughts on YouView and its detractors following several days of reading and listening to predictions of why it won’t sell.
At this week’s launch, Lord Sugar referred to 71 year old ladies in Tower blocks as part of YouView’s target audience. The idea that Granny is going to build herself a media PC or pop to Game and buy an XBox is ludicrous.
If that’s how YOU consume content there’s a good chance you’re not the target audience.
But just as a segment of the tech crowd insisted no-one wanted a 10” tablet running a mobile operating system and lacking Flash, so they now insist no-one wants a single box with a decent UI to do the work of their Raspberry Pi/Xbox/media PC/Laptop combo.
It’s also claimed the service is a ‘fail’ because the launch box doesn’t have built-in WiFi.
This limitation makes YouView no worse off than a number of high-priced Smart TVs, Blu-ray players, Freeview boxes and even Sky+ unless you stump up for an adapter.
If UK homes manage without WiFi in those products why is it a deal breaker for YouView?
The £299 price tag for the launch box has also been cited as an “epic fail” yet a comparable Freeview PVR will set you back £249 today and it’s the nature of consumer tech that once we early adopters have snuffled up initial stocks, prices fall.
Some commentators seem to have a problem reading press releases, especially Sky’s whose NOW TV will be bringing movies, sports and entertainment content.
Movies will be available at launch, the other content will follow soon after.
By the time boxes are selling in high numbers YouView will offer users the same premium content pay TV customers enjoy but on more flexible terms and with no minimum contract.
What’s not to like?
