Tech Talk: We’re all in this together

It may not be remembered for the right reasons, since at this point we don’t know for sure if the new service will make it off the launchpad, or if it will be out-of-date by the time it does – but too much money has been spent for the event to pass off unnoticed. YouView is a joint venture involving all the main broadcasters, BT, TalkTalk and others, and combines the functions of a Freeview or Freesat recorder with a broadband computer. The idea is to deliver all your programmes – whether on traditional channels like BBC1 or new ones like YouTube – through the same, familiar on-screen guide.

This means that as well as being able to scroll forwards seven days to see what’s coming up, you will be able to go backwards to see what you missed – and then watch the programmes as if they were still current. There will be no need to call up the iPlayer or Channel Four’s 4oD; all the content will appear in one single menu.