Freesat

[Johno]

Hey,

Just posting this because I haven't seen anyone else do it!

Freesat is a joint venture between the BBC and ITV plc to create a free-to-view HD service. There are currently 80 channels, with more being added monthly*

Freesat have said that they expect 200 channels to be available by the end of 2008, adding an additional 30 channels each month.


Channels from one of the main terrestrial broadcasters in the UK, Five, are currently encrypted on digital satellite. Their contract for encryption is believed to end in July 2008. At launch, Freesat confirmed that Five would be added to the channel lineup during 2008.

ITV HD will be exclusive to Freesat when it is launched in 2008, initially as a red-button interactive service

There are two types of FreeSat receiver currently announced — standard definition-only receivers and high definition-capable receivers. These receivers will be sold through official retailers such as Argos, Comet, Currys and John Lewis as well as some independent retailers.
To date, four high definition Freesat receivers have been announced:

• Bush BFSAT01HD — £119.99
• Goodmans GFSAT200HD — £149.99
• Grundig GUFSATHD — £149.99
• Humax Foxsat-HD — £149.99

Three standard definition receivers have also been announced:

• Bush — £49.99
• Goodmans GFSAT100SD — £69.99
• Grundig GUFSAT01 — £49.99

So looks like a pretty good alternative to Freeview but with Freeview to go HD in 2009, is it going to become the better of the two?

.:; Johno

Find out more:
http://www.freesat.co.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freesat

[Stephen!]

With the price of some of those boxes you may as well go to sky or VM

[Jordy]

Freeview is way too far in the lead now so it hasn't got much hope. The two advantages of it are, you get HD before you do on Freeview and Freesat comes from satellites so if you can't pick up freeview in a remote area, freesat is a great alternative.

Where to start on the disadvantages?

[Johno]

Hey,

I do agree that some of those boxes are just drop-down expensive. I guess they are trying to make up for that in the sense that its free-to-view.

I know where to start Jordy, The channels at the moment seem pretty terrible...

Due to contractual issues, a number of channels which are available on Freeview will not be available on Freesat. Virgin 1, TMF, The Hits, UKTV History, Dave, Sky Three and Sky Sports News are all available on Freeview but encrypted on digital satellite. Unless these channels also become free-to-air, they will be unavailable on Freesat.

.:; Johno