TalkTalk TV

TalkTalk TV is a UK-based consumer television and video on demand service, operated by the TalkTalk Group. In its current form, it was launched on 3 September 2012 in a partnership with YouView. Its offering is delivered over a BT phone line, using ADSL or VDSL to provide a triple-play package of IPTV, video on demand, telephony and broadband internet access. There are now 2 options available – Plus TV or Essentials TV. The only difference is the Essentials Box cannot record and only has the capability of pausing and rewinding for up to 30 Minutes, compared to the standard 2 Hours on the Plus Box. The YouView box is a Smart Freeview+HD box which means BBC 1 to 4 News and CBBC, ITV & Channel 4 are available in HD free. Humax have a silver 1TB model which can be bought in retail stores and can be used with or without a TalkTalk subscription. Currently both Huawei boxes do not have Wifi built in, and therefore an ethernet cable must be used for internet content and boosts.

History

Talk Talk

Talk Talk were an English new wave group, active from 1981 until their breakup in 1992. Their hit singles include "Today", "Talk Talk" (1981), "It's My Life" (1984), "Such a Shame" (1984), and "Dum Dum Girl" (1984). Talk Talk moved away from synthpop towards more experimental music in the mid-1980s. A few more singles, including "Life's What You Make It" (1985/1986) and "Living in Another World" (1986), achieved success in Europe and in the UK.

Friction with the band's label, EMI, resulted in legal action and countersuing. The band switched to Polydor for their final album, 1991's Laughing Stock, but the band broke up soon afterwards. Singer Mark Hollis released one solo album in 1998 before retiring from the music industry. Founding bass player and drummer Paul Webb and Lee Harris played in a couple of bands together; de facto fourth member Tim Friese-Greene continued in the business as a musician and producer.

History

Formation and early successes (1981–1983)

Talk Talk began as a quartet consisting of Mark Hollis formerly from The Reaction (vocals/main songwriter), Lee Harris (drums), Paul Webb (bass guitar), and Simon Brenner (keyboards). In their early years they were often compared with Duran Duran. In addition to a band name consisting of a repeated word, the two shared a Roxy Music-inspired musical direction, as well as the same record label (EMI) and producer (Colin Thurston). The band also supported Duran Duran on tour in late 1981.