Why are some channels free on Freeview but paid-for on satellite?
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV It seems odd that at least eight of the Freeview channels (E4, ftn, UK History, UK Bright Ideas, TMF, The Hits, itv-2, Sky Travel and Sky Sports News) are part of the Sky basic package, not free-to-air on satellite.
This has been apparently done to protect the copyright of these channels - the same reason that the BBC has recently found a solution to.
It follows that if the BBC can do it, then I am sure that Channel 4, Flextech, Sky and MTV can be pursuaded too. Watch this space!
All questions
In this section
Friday, 1 April 2011
M
Mal Heathcote7:49 PM
Hi, I have a pioneer plasma tv, which obviously incorporates freeview, and has HD capability. We are moving house to Southport, and was hoping to dispense with Sky plus, and purchase a box with double recording facility etc and also with HD capability. As I already have freeview will this complicate matters and what are the advantages of satellite freeview over terrestial ? and the cost diffrential typically between the two systems? Mal.
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Les Nicol
11:02 PM
11:02 PM
Mal Heathcote - There are Pros and cons for both platforms. If your are in an area where you are served by a terrestrial Relay Transmitter then you will receive the "Freeview" Lite service with a more limited channel selection than that offered by a main transmitter. Subscription Satellite has a wide range of channels on offer but is an ongoing expenditure commitment with almost a single player monopoly (dis-counting that offered by Cable). "Freesat" is a non subscription satellite service backed by the BBC and ITV. An external aerial installation is required for "Freeview and a satellite dish for "Freesat" If an existing aerial and or dish is present then it's likely these will suffice without further expenditure.
There are several "Freesat" DTR recorder receivers on the market with some recently released or about to be released editions..These are wide ranging in price and capability from around just under £120 to £650 Established releases from Harvard Group (Bush Grundg etc) Sagem, Humax,Technisat,Panasonic with BlueRay -( The most expensive) with new additions by Samsung and Echostar and about to be released range from Manhattan. All from these manufacturers available on the high Street and Online.
Purchasing your own receiver means that your not open to the recording facility being disabled as with a SKY box were you to un-subscribe from that service.
"Freeview" PVR's would normally have an onboard tuner but you could use a recorder without as you state your TV has this facility. Price range for PVR or alternative recorder up to about £250
There should be no issues in connectivity in your equipment as you simply use the TV remote to switch the source as is required. In some instances this is an automatic process.
This info should give you food for thought prior to your move.
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Wednesday, 3 August 2011
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Steve P10:56 AM
Mal H - anything to do with the chef? - just in case you did not know, in Southport you can also get Welsh TV over the sea!
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Friday, 20 February 2015
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Chaz10:08 AM
Can I get extra channels with my technisat box I don't have sky or virgin just a normal arielthanks
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Mike Davison4:30 PM
Wetherby
Chaz: A little more information would be helpful for you to get an answer.
1) What model Technisat receiver do you have or can you say whether it is a satellite receiver or terrestrial channel
receiver and HD or non-HD?
2) What is your postcode so which terrestrial transmitter is likely to serve you can be determined if a DVB-T/T2 receiver is what you have?
3) 'Normal aerial' is a bit vague. Do you mean dish or UHF 'toast-rack'?
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Mike's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage