In total, it is estimated that there are almost 4.4m Freeview boxes and integrated digital televisions in the market, of which around 375,000 serve as second and third sets in those homes entering the digital world for the first time.
The growth of Freeview and the launch of Sky's "freesat" service should all help ensure that the government target of 2010 for digital switchover is met.
The digital terrestrial television service, owned by the BBC, BSkyB and Crown Castle, has passed the 4m mark in less than two years having been launched in the autumn of 2002.
The latest figures put show that Freeview has added nearly half-a-million homes in the second quarter of 2004, which is not even yet over.
Last month, Ofcom said that houses with the service had shot up by almost 20% to 3.5m in the first quarter of 2004, making it the fastest-growing service in the sector, with a 14% market share compared with 6% last year.
The good news for the BBC comes on the heels of BSkyB plans to launch a free-to-air digital satellite service, providing up to 200 channels.
The launch of the service, on which Sky is going it alone, was seen as a snub to the BBC, which had offered to work on a joint "freesat" product.
However, the BBC welcomed Sky's decision as good for the BBC's viewers and has said that it is still considering its options. It has held talks with other broadcasters.
The growth of Freeview comes as it won two prizes at the Marketing Society 2004 Awards last night .
Freeview -- the biggest driver of digital take-up -- won in the Best Consumer Insight and Best New Brand categories.
Andy Duncan, director of marketing, communications and audiences at the BBC, said: "The continued growth of digital television is very encouraging. The Freeview figures show that the free proposition has really cut through and is currently the single most important factor in driving digital take-up.
"We are delighted that a record number of homes now have access to our full range of BBC digital services."
BBC's digital television channels, radio networks and interactive services are now available in over 13m UK households.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the .
.jpg)
.jpg)