HD Receivers Dominate Freeview Sales

FreeviewHD receivers are outselling Freeview satellite receivers by about 3:1.

The free-to-air digital TV platform today said 58,417 HD and satellite units had sold in the three months ending September 30, up from 54,456 in the previous quarter.

And year on year there’s been a 66% jump, with 3Q 2009 sales reaching only 35,166.

This year, 1Q sales totalled 42,338 and 2Q, 54,456; traditionally, the fourth quarter is the busiest, with the build-up to Christmas – which this year could be intensified by growing awareness of the digital switchover and the launch of Going Digital.

Freeview attributes the growth to additional content, the latest being the Trackside Channel, and technological innovation, particularly the popularity of IDTVs with integrated FreeviewHD tuners and MyFreeviewHD PVRs.

General manager Sam Irvine says Freeview sales haven’t been hurt by hard times.

“We’ve continued to grow in spite of the recession because more people are staying at home and watching more TV.”