It’s launched today FTA … the only new addition to this service is ITV HD.
For DVB-S PC card owners try:
DVB Viewer
coreavc H.264 codec
Free satellite TV service begins
A free satellite television and radio service from the BBC and ITV is being launched across the UK.
Freesat is available to 98% of homes, including those that are unable to receive Freeview through a TV aerial.
It will carry 80 digital TV and radio channels, including free high definition programmes, with that number due to rise to 200 by the end of 2008.
Users will make a one-off payment for a dish, set-top box and installation, but will not pay a monthly subscription.
The price of a box will start at £49, rising to £120 for a high-definition (HD) version. The cost of installation, including the satellite dish, will be a further £80.
The BBC, ITV and Channel 4’s digital services will feature on Freesat, with news and children’s channels among the others on offer.
TV viewing
The service will be available in shops including Argos and Comet
The BBC’s HD channel will appear on the service immediately, while ITV HD will launch soon.
ITV executive chairman Michael Grade called Freesat “the final piece in the digital jigsaw that will ensure that all viewers in the UK have access to free-to-air digital and high definition TV”.
BBC director general Mark Thompson said: “All the BBC’s digital channels, including BBC HD, will now be available to all licence fee payers wherever they live and however they choose to access them.”
Emma Scott from Freesat told BBC Radio 5 Live: "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.
“But 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.”
HD boost
The BBC’s media correspondent Torin Douglas said the BBC and ITV were hoping the new service would also increase interest in high definition television.
It is thought that around 10 million homes in the UK now have a television set capable of carrying HD, but most do not have a receiver or subscription.
Mr Grade said ITV’s HD service would launch “with an unrivalled line-up of premium football”.
The BBC Trust has said Freesat is guaranteed to remain subscription-free.
Set-top boxes will be available from high street retailers, who will also arrange installation.
Sky already offers a service that is also free to view once the equipment has been bought.
Channel Line up ( just the same as SKY FTV channels ) :
BBC One
BBC Two
ITV1
Channel 4
BBC Three
BBC Four
BBC HD
ITV2
ITV3
ITV3+1
ITV4
S4C Digidol
E4 (currently encrypted)
More4 (currently encrypted)
Zone Romantica
Zone Thriller
BBC News
BBC Parliament
S4C2
Al Jazeera English
Euronews
FilmFour
True Movies
True Movies 2
Movies4Men
Movies4Men2
Wedding TV
Overseas property
Men and Motors
Chart Show TV
The Vault
Scuzz
Bubble Hits
B4U Music
CBBC Channel
CBeebies
CITV
POP
POPGirl
Tiny POP
Teachers TV
BBC Radio 1
1Xtra BBC
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 4 FM
BBC Radio 4 LW
BBC Radio 5 Live
BBC Radio 5 Live Sport
BBC 6 Music
BBC 7
BBC Asian Network
BBC World Service
BBC R Scotland
BBC Radio nan Gaidheal
BBC Radio Wales
BBC Radio Cymru
BBC Radio Ulster
BBC London 94.9
QVC
Price-drop tv
Bid tv
Pitch TV
JML Lifestyle