A successor to Freeview, bringing high-definition and internet content to TV viewers without subscription for the first time, could be available from £100 as soon as next year.

The new service, which would require a broadband connection of at least 1.6 megabits per second, would bring on-demand viewing, from services such as the BBC iPlayer and ITVPlayer, off the PC screen and into the living room. Other internet services such as the government’s DirectGov could also be accessed on the TV through the new box.