New Sharp TVs to launch in the UK this year with Freeview Play

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Sharp will be bringing Freeview Play catch-up televisions to market later this year, and to all its new TVs with the AQUOS Net+ interface in 2017.

It looks like we will be seeing new Sharp TVs in the not too distant future - and that will include UK models with Freeview Play.

Universal Media Corporation (UMC) has announced that smart TVs compatible with Freeview Play will be available in the UK by the end of 2016.

The news comes after Sharp announced more than 50 new HD and 4K TVs last week at IFA 2016. There have been relatively few UK products from Sharp in recent years - though the company notably announced an 85in 8K television last year - but new parent company UMC is adamant the brand will make a comeback.

And now we know some of the TVs will include Freeview Play. This essentially brings catch-up content from the BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4 and Demand 5, right to your TV guide, making accessing on demand programmes as easy as watching live Freeview TV.

UMC also announced that all 2017 Sharp TVs equipped with the company's Smart TV portal AQUOS Net+ will also be able to support Freeview Play.

MORE: What is Freeview Play? And how can you get it?

Adam Smith

Adam was a staff writer for What Hi-Fi?, reviewing consumer gadgets for online and print publication, as well as researching and producing features and advice pieces on new technology in the hi-fi industry. He has since worked for PC Mag as a contributing editor and is now a science and technology reporter for The Independent.