The number of Freeview HD TVs and set top boxes sold reached 4.4 million by the end of December 2011, according to figures released today.
Viewers with HD equipment can receive four HD channels (BBC One HD, The BBC HD Channel, ITV1 HD and Channel 4 HD) as well as up to 50 standard definition TV channels.
The subscription-free service says two million homes are actively using the HD service and that of the 2.6 million Smart TVs sold to date, over 90% are capable of receiving Freeview HD channels.
When connected to the internet, a Smart TV allows access to on-demand services such as BBC iPlayer, YouTube and LoveFilm.
Ilse Howling, Managing Director of Freeview, said: “2012 is set to be a landmark year for the television industry and we have entered it with a bang as a result of fantastic Freeview HD sales figures.
“Television remains an incredibly important part of people’s lives and Freeview has continued to provide the most-loved programmes in the format people want without the need to pay for a subscription.
“Our focus now is to ensure we continue to evolve the service and give viewers what they want over the next ten years.”