Radio Times takes over Freeview TV guide
Radio Times is introducing a free branded electronic TV guide via Freeview, in a bid to boost its digital offer.
The BBC Worldwide-owned listings magazine will take over the current electronic programme guide (EPG) Teletext Extra, produced by InView Interactive.
The service has been rebranded under the Radio Times Extra brand and will carry 14-day programme information and editorial content including ’picks of the day’ highlighting recommended programme content.
The Radio Times electronic content will feature on 37 different Freeview set-top boxes made by 21 different manufacturers, and will reach around 11 million UK viewers.
BBC Worldwide Digital Publisher Alex White says: “Radio Times on the InView TV platform is a great extension of our brand and perfectly complements our magazine, website and mobile application, providing an enriched service for InView’s Freeview customers and a major new audience for our advertising partners.”
In the latest ABC figures, Radio Times was ranked as the third most actively purchased magazine for the six months to June 2010. It has an average net circulation of 941,882, down 2.3% year on year.
Radio Times claims its website attracts 1.6 million users and 23 million page impressions each month.
BBC Worldwide is currently looking to sell a stake in its magazine business, which publishes titles such as Top Gear Magazine and Gardener’s World.