Vision TV Network is a television channel distribution service provided by Vision247 Ltd in the United Kingdom. The service carries around 35 channels in English and other languages, streamed from the internet and accessed via Freeview channel 264, EE TV boxes, mobile apps or the web.

VisionTV
CountryUnited Kingdom
Broadcast areaNational
HeadquartersLondon, England
Ownership
OwnerVision247
History
LaunchedFebruary 8, 2012 (2012-02-08) (Vision TV Network)
2019 (2019) (VisionTV/VTC)
ClosedApril 30, 2019 (2019-04-30) (Vision TV Network)
November 22, 2023 (2023-11-22) (VisionTV on Freeview)
Former namesVisionTV (2012-2019)
Links
Websitewww.visiontv.co.uk Edit this at Wikidata

History

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When Vision TV was launched in 2012, it provided viewers in the UK with access to a package of foreign TV channels.[1] Viewers had to subscribe online in order to watch pay TV channels on the Vision TV Network, which were delivered through data channels (110, 111 and 112) on Freeview HD set-top boxes, and later to Roku players.[2][3] As an IPTV service, the network also allowed two-way interactivity to enable functionality such as voting, commerce and targeted advertising.[4]

The service initially broadcast French, Greek, Polish and Turkish channels. In August 2012, Muslim and Arabic-language channels were added.[5] In March 2015, a Portuguese package called 'My Portuguese' was added, which included Benfica TV. In September 2015 the service became available on the web, as well as EE TV set-top boxes.[6] In November 2015, iOS and Android apps were launched.[7]

The UK pay-TV service closed down on 30 April 2019 and was no longer available on Roku or mobile devices, though a separate package of free channels continued to stream online and via Freeview.

Visiontv. on Freeview

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In addition to the subscription package of foreign language television channels on Roku/Now TV and Android devices, Vision247 launched a second service via Freeview channel 264.[8] Now branded as VisionTV (styled as Visiontv.), this free-to-view streaming service features a number of English-language channels with news and religious programming from around the world.

At the end of 2020, Visiontv. launched their own channel VTC (Vision TV Channel, styled as vtc. ) as part of their entertainment channels line-up[9] and added Newsmax TV[10] and Syria TV to their news channels.[11]

On 22 November 2023, their main streaming portal was taken off Freeview with TV Extra being added instead. Vision247's other channels remained in Freeview's streaming line-up though Asharq News moved to channel 274, as MBC (My Binge Channel) took their previous channel 272 slot.[12] Arise News was also taken from Freeview channel 262 at the same time but continues to be broadcast by Vision247 via the visiontv.co.uk website.[13]

Vision247 and Mondo Globo on Freeview

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As well as their own streaming portal, Vision247 Limited has teamed up with Canadian firm Mondo Globo[14] to secure a more permanent channel position in the streaming area of Freeview for a number of Arabic channels. This has included a slot on Freeview channel 272 for Asharq News[15] and channel 273 for MBC's Al Arabiya and Al Hadath services.[16][17]

VisionTV website channel line-up

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The channel line-up, as of 22 November 2022, on the visiontv.co.uk streaming service is as follows:

Entertainment[13]

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  • Vision TV Channel
  • SatinTV
  • NTAI
  • Supreme Master TV
  • ARISEPlay
  • Channel 7

News

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  • France24 English[18]
  • CGTN
  • Newsmax TV
  • Arise News
  • Deutsche Welle
  • France24 (French language)

Sports

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TV Mall

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  • JML Direct[20]
  • Jewellery Channel
  • Best Direct

Religion

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  • Secrets Unsealed Ministry TV[21]
  • Faith TV
  • Good News TV
  • Daystar TV

International

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  • Iran International TV[22]
  • Sharjah TV
  • Islam Channel
  • British Muslim TV
  • Sikh Channel

Freeview channel line-up

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Channels found on the Freeview visiontv. streaming service, which was on Freeview until 22 November 2022, included:[23]

Company structure

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Vision247 is a private limited company, established as Vision IPTV Ltd in 2006 and renamed in 2013.[36] Its sole director is Nduka Obaigbena, who has Nigerian nationality. There were 19 employees in 2019.[37]

References

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  1. ^ "Vision TV Network for FreeviewHD". Advanced Television. 14 February 2012.
  2. ^ "Freeview HD will deliver new IPTV channels this month". The Register. 6 September 2011.
  3. ^ "Vision TV network comes to UK Roku". Broadband TV News. 19 July 2012.
  4. ^ "Vision TV puts foreign channels on Freeview". Broadcast. 17 February 2012.
  5. ^ "Vision TV Network adds Arabic and Muslim channels". Broadband TV News. 15 August 2012.
  6. ^ "Vision247 adds services to EE TV". Broadband TV News. 7 September 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Vision247 launches app: VisionTV UK". Broadband TV News. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Viewing IP channels on Freeview". www.freeview.co.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  9. ^ "VisionTV". www.visiontv.co.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  10. ^ "VisionTV".
  11. ^ "VisionTV". www.visiontv.co.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  12. ^ Newsdesk1, RXTV (22 November 2023). "Freeview issues channel update alert for November > RXTV info". Retrieved 2 March 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ a b "VisionTV". www.visiontv.co.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  14. ^ "About | Mondo Globo".
  15. ^ "Vision247 and Mondo Globo launch Asharq News Freeview IP Streamed LCN - Vision247". April 2022.
  16. ^ "Vision247 and Mondo Globo launch al Arabiya and al Hadath IP Streamed Channels on Freeview - Vision247". April 2022.
  17. ^ "Latest News - Vision247". 15 July 2019.
  18. ^ "VisionTV". www.visiontv.co.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  19. ^ "VisionTV". www.visiontv.co.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  20. ^ "VisionTV". www.visiontv.co.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  21. ^ "VisionTV". www.visiontv.co.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  22. ^ "VisionTV". www.visiontv.co.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Freeview's 100 hidden channels > RXTV info". 18 October 2022.
  24. ^ "Live 360 becomes Arise Play > RXTV info". 4 February 2022.
  25. ^ Al Arabyvisiontv.co.uk Archived 22 June 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  26. ^ The Hidden Extra Channels Available Onrxtvlog.com May 2020 Archived 25 June 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  27. ^ GoodNews TVvisiontv.co.uk Archived 25 June 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  28. ^ Supreme Master TVvisiontv.co.uk Archived 25 June 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  29. ^ "How to watch That's TV – That's TV". Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  30. ^ "TJC | Free Delivery On First Shop | Jewellery, Beauty, Fashion Online in UK". www.tjc.co.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  31. ^ UK 44visiontv.co.uk Archived 25 June 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  32. ^ "Vision247 launches UK app on iOS and Android". 10 November 2015.
  33. ^ "Greek | Hellenic Tv | London". Hellenictv. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  34. ^ "spotlight-tv.co.uk". spotlight-tv.co.uk. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  35. ^ Woods, Ben (23 August 2021). "How China's propaganda station CGTN made a surprise return to British screens". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  36. ^ "Vision247 Ltd". Companies House. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  37. ^ "Vision247 Limited: Financial Statements". Companies House. 31 December 2019. p. 6.
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