BB FANS

Freesat Is Launched

Freesat - the free-to-view satellite television and radio service from the BBC and ITV - is being launched across the UK.

Freesat will be available to 98 per cent of homes, provided they have a satellite dish, including those who currently cannot receive Freeview television.

Initially, Freesat will broadcast 80 digital TV and radio channels, rising to 200 by the end of the year.

Users will make a one-off payment of £150 for a dish, set-top box and installation, but will not pay a monthly subscription.

The BBC Trust has said that Freesat is guaranteed to remain subscription-free.

Set-top boxes will be available from electrical shops which will also arrange installation.
waveguide.co.uk

Beijing Olympics In HD On Freesat

Viewers will be able to watch up to 300 hours of HD Beijing Olympic coverage on Freesat this summer.

Speaking today at the launch of the free-to-air satellite service, BBC chairman Mark Thompson said: "We will show the Beijing Olympics in HD without subscription. It feels like the right time for the launch."

Thompson said that within a year services like the BBC's iPlayer and Kangeroo will be available through the Freesat set-top boxes Ethernet port.

The service will initially include two HD channels - BBC HD and ITV HD. The latter will be exclusive to Freesat and unavailable on Sky because they are encrypted through the Freesat set-top boxes interactive sortware.

ITV executive chairman Michael Grade said: "We won't give it to Sky for nothing."


waveguide.co.uk

I might get this if my living room ever gets a HD television. I already got Sky but its costly as it is and I'm not able to afford another £10 a month.