The much delayed YouView service is in the final stages of testing according to the Financial Times.
When up and running the service will offer digital recorders (PVRs) similar to Freeview+ and Sky+ boxes which feature a backwards EPG linked to catch-up services.
It will also allow pay-TV services such as Sky’s NOW TV to offer paid-for content to users via broadband in the same was a Smart TVs.
The paper reports that “An “alpha” trial of some 350 homes was agreed last week by YouView’s board” including Lord Alan Sugar, host of BBC One’s The Apprentice.
The full FT report can be found here.
The service was due to launch in late 2010 but has been plagued by delays and many commentators expect it to launch after the Olympic games.
Both TalkTalk and BT are planning to move their existing TV platforms to YouView.
Other shareholders in the project include the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
