Freeview, a free digital TV service, has announced plans to unveil a free-to-air electronic programme guide (EPG) service in Australia with the launch of FreeviewPlus in the first half of 2014.

The FreeviewPlus service will provide Australian viewers with a range of features that will include a new, user-friendly EPG and, for the first time, will seamlessly deliver catch up content on TV screens.

“From next year, Australian TV viewers will be able to enjoy one of the most sophisticated and yet easy-to-use free-to-air TV services in the world,” Liz Ross, General Manager of Freeview, said.

“Everyday, 14 million Australians (Source: OzTAM and RegionalTAM), are tuning into live FTA TV and viewers have shown how much they love catch-up services with 1 in 4 (Source: Nielsen Online Consumer Landscape Report, March 2012) now watching catch up TV,” Ross said.

FreeviewPlus combines broadcast TV with broadband using a single button, which enables networks to provide a wide range of new TV services.

“FreeviewPlus will be an unparalleled TV experience,” Ross said.