BBC/ITV Freesat - Spring 08
Main article: All about Freesat - ukfree.tv - launch update - Freesat Launch: brilliant for everyone - ukfree.tv
We've been reporting about BBC Freesat since early 2006
The BBC's service, which is now set to launch in spring 2008, will provide a "guaranteed non-subscription" digital satellite service.
The boxes will provide a HDTV satellite version of the popular Freeview service, with a number of BBC, ITV channels in high definition plus all the existing services that the current Freesat service provides.
The BBC and ITV Freesat service will also provide an alternate (but compatible) electronic programme guide (EPG), and will provide interactive services.
Currently both Channel 4 and five have agreements with Sky which require their channels (with the exception of Film4) to require the use of a "Freesat From Sky" card. This means that you currently need to purchase a card from Sky Subscriber Services Ltd for 20 to watch Channel 4, five, Five US, Five Life and Sky Three.
Whilst this card is included as part of the 150 cost of Freesat From Sky, Sky have in the past invalidated the existing cards and demanded payment for a new one from Freesat users. Last time Sky did this the telephone number that was provided told customers that the must subscribe and mislead callers telling them no replacement cards were available!
The BBC/ITV service will have several potential uses:
- a box-swap replacement to upgrade an existing Freesat from Sky or Sky subscription box for a box with HDTV services;
- a box-swap replacement for a Sky+ box for a HDTV satellite personal video recorder;
- a multi-room installation with an existing dish fitted with a quad-LNB;
- connection to a Windows Vista Media Centre or Windows Home Server;
"Its primary purpose is to drive digital take-up in analogue homes, particularly in those areas which are out of digital terrestrial coverage. Freesat also offers a trusted free-to-view digital upgrade path that gives licence payers all the benefits of digital television (notably high definition capability) guaranteed free of subscription."
Michael Grade (ITV Executive Chairman) said "Freesat will build on the success of Freeview by offering viewers a simple and cost effective way of upgrading to digital TV. By filling in the current gaps in Freeview coverage, Freesat will ensure that a free-to-air, no strings attached option for accessing digital TV is available to the whole of the UK ahead of digital switchover. By offering HD capability we will future proof Freesat if, as expected, high definition television continues to capture the imagination of UK viewers."
What channels will be provided?
The current single-channel HDTV service for the BBC is only a test service. It seems reasonable that the BBC will provide the main channels in HD resolution. This will probably not extend to the BBC regional news services, and may not initially include the national variations in HD.ITV1 is the only network of theirs with regional variations, so again a "Network" version of the channel will be provided in HD, with SDTV potentially regional adverts inserted. It seems reasonable that ITV2, ITV3, ITV4 and CITV will also broadcast in HD.
It seems that the other public service broadcasters, Channel 4, five and S4C will want to get on board. This will require E4, C4, More4, five, five Life and five US to change their broadcasts, or for the new BBC Freesat to simulcast these channels as HD.
Channel 4 told the Guardian that the channel "currently has exclusive [digital satellite] carriage deals in place with Sky Digital for the majority of its channels (other than for Film4, which is broadcast free-to-air). Under the Communications Act we would expect to become subject to obligations to ensure the availability of the core channel on all satellite platforms, which would require that Channel 4 was available on Freesat."
As for the other non-public service Freeview channels:
- Ftn, The Hits, TMF, UKTV Bright Ideas, UKTV History are locked into Sky subscription agreements, but obviously it would be to the benefit of Freesat if these channels could be made available to the extra 2.5 million homes.
- Sky Sports News is a subscription service on satellite and Sky Three would have to go free-to-air, which may happen to show Sky's benevolence.
- Sky News is broadcast free-to-air.
Help with Free satellite?
In this section
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Les Nicol
9:02 PM
9:02 PM
Brian - Don't know whether this is as a result of the UK's financial situation "Freeview" reception issues package price increases with SKY and Virgin, but I am inandated with folks seeking to move to "Freesat". Just wondered if this is a local trend that I am experiencing or someething more general.- Perhaps others may wish to chip in om this one.
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Monday, 10 January 2011
Les Nicol: Freesat have been doing some "save loads of money" publicity of late, but I would expect that anyone looking at their bills will probably see £234-£747 a year is quite a lot of money when you can get most of it for free.
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Saturday, 15 January 2011
Les Nicol
2:08 PM
2:08 PM
Brian - Interesting article on the development of Pay per View options relating to "Freeview" BT Vision and "Freesat" New CI+ slot and CAMS. Seems Nagravision encryption on Freeview. Samsung new TV's and Freesat receivers seem likely to be equiped with "Neotion CI= plus" CAM slot. "What Sat magazine" February.
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Les Nicol
2:15 PM
2:15 PM
Just to add German manufacturer "Dreambox" preparing to incorporate streaming software iPlayer capable - presumabley this is linked to the BBC's planned expansion of this beyond the UK on a pay per view basis.
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Thursday, 3 February 2011
Les Nicol
9:58 AM
9:58 AM
Brian - European Union Advocate General - supports appeal by Portsmouth publican prosecuted for taking premier league football from Greek source using European receiver decoder. Advocate Generals view being that viewers in any mamber state have the right to take TV services from whatever state the broadcast originates from across the European Union- breaking news this am on 5live. Dtil to be ratified by Judges but judges yet to rule against European Unions Advocate General views. Could be really interesting this one!!
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Hi Les,
It would be nice to see those that are undermining both freeview & freesat by destroying channel 1, blocking itv 2 hd / itv 3hd /itv 4hd / five hd (& ch4 hd in wales) from free to air viewers get shafted.
But knowing how they allways get their way when dealing with goverments & regulators I will hold off celebrating yet ! Also i would point out that the top subscription packages (inc more football that sky have )within the EU cost less than half of what sky charge us in the uk, I can see no good reason that.
Mark Aberfan Aerials
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Les Nicol
3:58 PM
3:58 PM
Mark - Aberfan.
One Media legal boffin on Radio5 live this morning reckons it will probably take up to another 2/3months for the out come of this whilst the judges deiberate. But states it would be unusual for them to take a decision that doesn't reflect the guidance of the Advocate General. My publican for one will be pleased if this is ratified. I wonder if the Premier league "AKA" SKY will attempt to proceed in the current situation if some Pubs jump the gun on this one? I certainly know of one in my area that is taking footbal fron "Tring" and ESPN Scottish games from the middle East. Picure quality is fine. In total they are paying just under half of what SKY sports would be to you an I in our own homes . A hell of a saving from a publicans point of view.
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Les Nicol
4:30 PM
4:30 PM
Mark - Having downloaded and read the European Union Press release it appears that the judges deliberations will be about the over- turning of the conviction against the Portsmouth publican rather than the existing European Union Law ie: "European Union Law does not make it possible to prohibit the live transmission of Premier League football matches in pubs by means of foreign decoder cards" ???
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Les Nicol
4:34 PM
4:34 PM
P.S> The latter is the view of the Advocate General Kokott, territorial exclusivity agreements relating to the transmission of football matches are contrary to European Law.
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Les Nicol: Yes, I'm just trying to write an article about this. Given that I have been going on about it to people for the last decade.
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