TalkTalk signs up 500,000 YouView customers

talktalk_youviewMore than 500,000 customers have signed up for TalkTalk’s YouView-based TV service since it launched last year, the company announced on Wednesday.

TalkTalk is one of seven shareholders in the TV platform which combines traditional aerial delivered channels with internet delivered on demand and catch-up content.

Like rival and fellow shareholder BT, TalkTalk also offers a bundle of paid-for channels delivered via broadband.

YouView boxes were first available in shops at the end of July last year, with TalkTalk offering a free box as part of a broadband and phone bundle two months later.

Unlike BT, TalkTalk was able to strike carriage deals for Sky’s popular entertainment channels such as Sky 1 and its sports channels.

The availability of channels previously only available as part of an expensive, fixed-term contract on more flexible terms has helped TalkTalk’s sign-up rate.

TalkTalk chief executive, Dido Harding said: “Reaching this milestone in less than a year is a great achievement, but it’s just the beginning. Each week thousands more homes are signing up to YouView from TalkTalk.

“Customers tell us they love the great value entertainment we offer, plus the flexibility to watch it when and how they want. As the UK’s fastest growing TV service, we remain committed to bringing affordable pay TV to more and more families across the country.”

BT had 833,000 paying TV customers as of the end of June, however the company doesn’t publish how many are YouView customers and how many are using its older BT VIsion+ boxes.

Filed under: