YouView, a joint venture between BBC, ITV, C4, C5, BT and TalkTalk, has today opened up its preliminary trial to the public. If you are interested, you can register via this special Trials web site: https://trials.youview.com/login
Here is some more information from the YouView site to better explain what YouView is:
A little while ago, some of the UK’s best-known Broadcasters and Broadband Internet companies got together to talk about TV and how they could make it better.
They agreed that while everyone loves great TV, it’s frustrating when you miss a great show – and it’s never quite the same on a computer. Wouldn’t it be great if you could combine the simplicity and value of Freeview with the choice and convenience of catch-up and on-demand services – all on your own TV?
So they decided to create YouView to do just that – all together in the same set top box with no fuss, no computer and, best of all, no TV contract.
You get all your favourite Freeview or Freesat channels, plus the last seven days’ catch-up TV, and for those who want even more, the choice of on demand and pay TV – like films, sports and US drama.
Our unique programme guide will go back in time, so you can watch shows from last night or last week today. You’ll also be able to search for things by title or even an actor’s name.
And that’s just the beginning.
Because YouView is open, developers can create apps that can make your TV do all sorts of things. And all kinds of providers will be able to put their content on YouView. As YouView develops there’ll be more and more content available from the Internet as well as lots of ways to personalise the way you watch.
All this with no monthly TV subscription. You’ll just need a YouView box and broadband Internet.
Brilliantly simple, and simply brilliant. YouView will be everything TV should be.