The UK Radio Portal provides access to all types of radio channels through the British digital terrestrial television (DTT) Freeview network

UK Radio Portal is a new interactive TV service launching on the UK Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) Freeview network. The service will be available for free on the 21st September 2022.

This solution makes access to the Freeview platform cost-effective and affordable to the majority of radio stations for the first time.

Designed to bring radio stations to the Freeview platform via an interface that’s accessible from channel 277 on the Freeview Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), the service will allow consumers access to a variety of local, regional, national and international radio services without forcing them to leave the familiar surroundings of their main TV screen and Freeview menu.

By bridging the DTT broadcast network with the Internet using Hybrid broadcast broadband TV technologies, (HbbTV), UK Radio Portal have developed a way of bringing radio stations to the TV, by utilising existing Internet audio streams. All that is required is an MP3 stream URL and some HD-quality images to place on rotation on the TV screen whilst the radio station is playing.

Freeview Play is built into the majority of new TVs and available to viewers for free. No application development, installation of apps or sign-up process is required. Everything is managed via the Freeview EPG and the UK Radio Portal user interface.

Whether it’s community, local, regional, multi-regional, national or international radio services, UK Radio Portal has a coverage and pricing model to suit the needs of every radio station type. By supporting rotation of on-screen images, radio station branding and messaging will really stand out, and the flexibility to add on-screen advertising (in accordance with OfCom rules), offers the potential to monetise this service too.