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Freesat: BBC and ITV launch free HD service

by Parm Mann on 6 May 2008, 13:07

Tags: BBC, Freesat

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Freesat to be available to 98 per cent of UK homes

Freesat, a satellite television service launched today by the BBC and ITV, will provide viewers with over 80 digital television and radio channels and will be available to 98 per cent of UK homes.

The service, available to almost all UK residents, provides HD programming and carries no contract and no subscription. Both the BBC and ITV will be hoping that the introduction of free-to-view HD channels will play an integral part in increasing interest in HD programming.

Though the UK's already-available Freeview service plans to offer HD channels from 2009, it isn't readily available in all areas.

Emma Scott, from Freesat, said: "Unlike Freeview, you can receive Freesat across the country, which means that in those areas that at the moment can't get access to free digital television this is the first time that you can get free digital TV."

"It's only homes that really don't have a clear line of sight to the satellite that can't get it, or certain listed buildings," she adds.

Freesat, it should be noted, isn't the first satellite television service to be subscription free. In 2004, BSkyB launched its own Freesat service, "Freesat from Sky", providing customers with over 200 free digital channels and the option to upgrade to any subscription-based Sky digital package. However, ITV's forthcoming HD channel, ITV HD, will launch exclusively on Freesat.

Though the BBC Trust has guaranteed that Freesat will remain a free service, customers will be required to make a one-off payment of £150 for a digital box, satellite dish and installation. Similarly, a HD-ready television will be required to view the HD channels available.

Freesat is now available to order in-store or online at Argos, Comet, Currys, John Lewis and other retailers.

Official product page: Freesat.co.uk



HEXUS Forums :: 41 Comments

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Problem is a lot of people interesting in this will be tied into Virgin or other packages. I myself have BT vision and although the thought of Free HD tv is great what about on demand content!

Free HD content on its own is not worth £150 , wait till Freeview goes HD seems a better option. Think ITV and the BBC are kidding themselves if they think they will get a huge amount of demand for this at £150 and no demand content or any other perks that we get from modern set ups…
When terrestrial Freeview goes partially HD (limited to 4 HD channels) you will need a new decoder anyway. This will start off being the guts of £100 i would imagine.
Freesat from sky is a one off £100 payment, it's a shame the BBC and ITV are charging more. Hopefully they'll be some reasonably priced boxes for people already with dishes.
jimbouk
Freesat from sky is a one off £100 payment, it's a shame the BBC and ITV are charging more. Hopefully they'll be some reasonably priced boxes for people already with dishes.

Freesat is only normal digital TV not HD so not really a good comparison….

I believe the BT vision box can handle future HD Channels. I understand that it worked with the BBC HD trials.
jimbouk
Freesat from sky is a one off £100 payment, it's a shame the BBC and ITV are charging more. Hopefully they'll be some reasonably priced boxes for people already with dishes.

£150 according to freesat from Sky - A new way to get free digital satellite TV

and yes, there are - freesat receivers start at about 50 quid iirc