Vodafone has announced Vodafone TV, a new entertainment hub that brings live television, streaming, gaming, music and apps together in one place.
The service is designed to simplify the increasingly messy experience of juggling multiple streaming subscriptions and devices. Vodafone TV will bring services including Netflix and HBO Max alongside Freely, more than 150 live channels, 300-plus cloud games and thousands of apps through the Google Play Store.
At the heart of the experience is a set-top box running Android TV. It supports 4K video, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, while 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage should give it enough power for navigating menus, streaming content and running games without feeling sluggish.
Vodafone is also putting more emphasis on discovery. Smart AI Search, Google Assistant and personalised recommendations are built into the platform, allowing users to search across different types of content without having to jump between individual services.
Freely is a great addition
Freely is particularly useful here, as it provides more than 70 live channels and thousands of hours of on-demand programming from broadcasters including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. It works over the internet, so users don’t need a traditional aerial or satellite dish.
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Vodafone TV also isn’t limited to the living room. A companion app will let users start watching a programme at home and continue on the move, with profiles, recommendations, favourites and gameplay carrying across devices.
For those streaming while out and about, Vodafone says the service can be paired with its new SuperMobile offering, which uses its 5G+ FastTrack network technology to provide faster and more reliable connectivity.
Vodafone TV launch price and release date
Vodafone TV will launch in October for new and existing Vodafone customers with a home broadband, 5G Broadband or mobile plan.
At launch, Netflix and HBO Max will be included, with other services available to add. Customers will also be able to access Disney+, YouTube Premium, DAZN, Spotify and Prime through Vodafone Subscription+ on a 30-day rolling basis.
There’s also Vodafone Box Office for renting or buying films, while parental controls are handled through a secure Master PIN.
With Vodafone TV, the company is clearly aiming to make the set-top box more than just another way to watch television. By combining traditional channels, streaming services, gaming and apps, it could offer a much simpler alternative to switching between different platforms.
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