Digitaltveurope.com

The BBC has announced “the next step” in the evolution of its Red Button service with the launch next month of Red Button+.

Red Button+ will replace the existing Connected Red Button service and will become “the primary experience when you press red on a wide range of internet-connected TVs,” according to the BBC.

The broadcaster said that rebrand of its internet-powered Red Button service follows “incredible growth in the number of internet connected TVs sold in the UK,” with viewers now accessing a range of web-delivered content through their TVs.

“Since the original launch, the BBC have been busy testing and enabling the Red Button+ service to be available on more devices, including Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, Sharp, Toshiba and services from EE and YouView – as well as maintaining the Tivo service,” said David Loder, senior product manager, BBC Red Button.

The BBC first launched its Connected Red Button service in December 2012 on the Virgin TiVo platform. Ahead of this launch, the BBC’s then general manager of on-demand at the BBC, Daniel Danker, said that the “Connected Red Button seamlessly brings together broadcast and online television” and “will become the foundation for interactivity around the BBC’s television channels on the TV.”

Red Button+ lets viewers: access the BBC iPlayer; enjoy wider coverage of events, including sports events; catch up on the latest news stories without leaving the channel you are watching; and check the local weather forecast.