Freesat news .. and rumours

King Kong, Freesat+ and is RDM really Sky?

^{Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV 5th September 2008 at 21:14}

King Kong

ITV HD will be showing the recent remake of the classic movie "King Kong" at 7:50pm on Saturday on Freesat HD. It is accessed in the usual ITV HD way - by selecting ITV1 on Freesat and pressing the red button.

Humax Freesat+

On the rumour front, a Freesat powerpoint slide has been shown giving the Freesat+ box from Humax, with the 360Gb drive, a priced of 299. And it seems possible it will also be able to work with Freeview too - apparently.

Fives on Freesat

Also a Freesat representative has given a fixed date for the arrival of five, Fiver and Five US - November 2008.

Is RDM an attempt by Sky to stop Freesat?

It also appears, if the information is correct, that BSkyB is getting a little worried about Freesat. UK Free TV has been told that a "front company" for the satellite-subscription broadcaster called RDM has been offering "lucrative commercial contracts" to satellite installation companies "for the non promotion of Freesat and the non installation of Freesat on customer's sites."

The deal is reported to offer equipment subsidy, interest free loans and a continuous amount of Sky work instead. The deal is said to have been offered to companies in Glasgow and Newcastle. The company has contacted a number of private installation companies this deal by telephone.

Sky have a reputation for "playing hard ball" when their rather monopolistic business is under threat.

UK Free TV asked Freesat to comment, but they have so far declined.

If it is true, it would appear that Sky feel they have a real competitor on their hands?

Looking at the viewing of Sky's channels in the official BARB figures, it would seem that viewing of their channels is heading south! Currently the total viewing of ALL the Sky Sports channels is less than 2%.



If only 6% of viewing is to their channels, many viewers may opt to stop paying their Sky subscriptions and replace their Sky+ for a Freesat+ box, as this will provide a lifetime of subscription-free viewing - with High Definition thrown in.

Also, there is more from BBC HD boss Danielle Nagler about DOGs and BBC HD TV Update: Jonathan Ross in HD.