The popularity of free-to-air digital television and radio service, Freeview, continues to increase following the biggest month of Freeview sales since the company began in 2007.  

Sales figures show 34,928 Freeview receivers were sold across the country during December. The majority of these were TVs with Freeview|HD built-in, and sales of MyFreeview Digital Television Recorders also continue to grow progressively.  

Sales for the last quarter of 2010 are also impressive, with 78,700 Freeview receivers sold, up from 58,417 in the third quarter of 2010. Of these, 11,706 were Freeview satellite receivers and 66,994 were Freeview|HD receivers.  

“The Government’s digital switch-over campaign launched late last year has had a positive impact on sales volumes. We’re encouraged by the strong progress made even though we are still over 18 months out from the start of the digital switch-over,” says Sam Irvine, General Manager, Freeview.  

Freeview has grown the number of channels available on its platform to a total of nineteen with the recent launch of TAB Trackside on Freeview|HD. This means thirteen or fourteen TV channels (depending on location) plus three radio channels are available on Freeview|HD, and Freeview Satellite offers fifteen TV channels with an additional four radio channels.  Stratos will be launching in March on Freeview|HD and both TVNZ and TVWorks are making changes to their digital TV offerings.  

“It’s fantastic to see Kiwis embracing Freeview and enjoying crystal-clear pictures, new channels and world-class digital technology for free. This year Freeview users will get the added benefit of watching all 48 Rugby World Cup matches, with all the All Blacks’ matches  being shown live and for free on Freeview. We have also partnered with a national installer group to provide a one stop set-up and installation service. So now its even easier for analogue viewers to get free digital TV installed in their home,” he adds.