Freeview balloons make a comeback to promote Freeview HD

New TV advert showcases the best free TV – in HD

Freeview, the UK’s biggest TV provider, has unveiled a new advertising campaign  encouraging viewers to consider choosing a Freeview HD television next time they are looking to buy a new TV.

Created by Leo Burnett, the 20 second advert – which airs from 11^th November – signals a return of Freeview’s helium balloons, this time carrying a series of HDTVs above the British countryside. The ad showcases some of the UK’s most-watched programmes available on Freeview’s four existing HD channels; BBC One HD, BBC Two HD, ITV HD and Channel 4 HD, and hints at more HD channels to come¹.

The campaign is part of a dual marketing strategy.  Freeview’s recent ‘Tadpoles’ campaign aimed to build brand awareness and engagement.  The new HD campaign capitalises on this brand building – giving people a reason to reconsider pay TV and showing the benefits of buying a Freeview HDTV.

Freeview HD is already enjoyed in 3.4 million UK homes, a number which Freeview believes will significantly increase with the promise of more HD channels and the availability of pre-Christmas promotional offers on televisions.  Current sales of HDTVs, which have increased 21% year-on-year, suggest that consumers are already taking advantage of a high number of deals available from leading manufacturers².

Owen Jenkinson, Head of Marketing at Freeview, said:

“We’ve brought back the widely-recognised balloons to remind those people in the market for a new television that the best option, by far, is a Freeview HD TV.  With four of the nation’s most popular HD channels already available subscription-free, and more HD channels on the way, a Freeview HD TV is clearly an attractive prospect – not least as it will ensure the best viewing experience of some the most hotly-anticipated programmes this Christmas.”

The campaign will run until New Year’s Eve across ITV and Channel 4’s suite of channels, as well as Talksport radio.

Freeview will launch an updated online coverage checker in mid-November that will include information on the proposed new HD channels.  For more information, please visit: http://www.freeview.co.uk/availability

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The BBC and Al Jazeera have announced plans to introduce new HD channels on Freeview by early 2014. These are expected to be:

• BBC Three HD
• BBC Four HD
• BBC News HD
• CBBC HD
• CBeebies HD
• Al Jazeera English HD

All Freeview HD viewers will be able to receive BBC Three HD and CBBC HD. The availability of other channels will vary as services are rolled out at across the UK.

1. GfK LekTrak, September 2013

About Freeview

Freeview is a subscription-free TV service offering over 50 standard digital TV channels, radio stations and interactive services through an aerial with no monthly bills. Over 95% of the most watched programmes in the UK are available on Freeview.  In addition, Freeview HD offers four free HD channels – BBC One HD, BBC Two HD, ITV1 HD and Channel4 HD.

Freeview is managed by DTV Services Ltd, a company owned and run by its five shareholders – BBC, BSkyB, Channel 4, ITV and Arqiva.