Official freesat press release
Tuesday May 6 -2008
Free digital television and HD for everyone – no subscription, no contract
BBC HD available now and ITV HD to launch exclusively on Freesat
Freesat, the new, free, digital satellite television service launches today, Tuesday 6 May 2008. Freesat is a joint venture between the BBC and ITV.
Reaching almost all of the UK (98% of households), Freesat has over 80 free digital channels – television, radio, interactive – plus high definition (HD) services from the BBC and ITV. Freesat has no subscription and no contract; all that is required to receive it is a one-off payment for equipment. Freesat’s channel line-up will grow each month, with up to 200 channels on air by the end of the year.
Emma Scott, Managing Director, Freesat said, “Today is a landmark day for digital TV in the UK – the launch of a new digital satellite service which brings free HD programmes to everyone. With more than 9.6 million HD-ready televisions already sold in the UK, but only a tiny fraction of those who own them currently able to receive HD programmes, there’s a big opportunity for Freesat to lead the way in introducing the UK to high definition viewing.â€
Freesat’s initial channel line-up includes some of the most popular digital TV channels: BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three and BBC Four; ITV1, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4; Channel 4, E4, More4 and Film4; news channels BBC News and Al-Jazeera English; children’s channels CBBC, CBeebies and CiTV; music channels Chartshow TV and The Vault; interactivity from BBCi; digital radio; and the superlative picture quality of BBC HD and ITV HD.
Freesat will carry the BBC HD channel from day one, with ITV HD launching exclusively on Freesat soon afterwards.
Michael Grade, Executive Chairman, ITV plc said, “The launch of Freesat is the final piece in the digital jigsaw and will ensure that all viewers in the UK have access to free-to-air digital and high definition television. We will launch our HD service with an unrivalled line up of premium football including the FA Cup, England internationals and UEFA Champions League from next season. Now everyone in the UK can experience the benefits of digital television: more choice of channels, interactivity and the extraordinary picture quality of HD.â€
Mark Thompson, Director-General, BBC said, “With the launch of Freesat, all the BBC’s digital channels, including BBC HD, will now be available to all licence fee payers wherever they live and however they choose to access them. This means they will have yet another way to watch a fantastic range of BBC output, from landmark dramas and world class documentaries to national events and live sport.”
Freesat equipment
Freesat will have three different types of receiver: a standard definition box, an HD box and an HD integrated digital TV with Freesat built-in (IDTV). Boxes are made by Goodmans, Bush, Grundig (the Alba Group) and Humax. The IDTV is made by Panasonic and will be available in June.
Box prices will start from £49, with a high definition box available from £120, plus installation costs from around £80. (Installation includes the satellite dish.)
Later this summer Alba and Humaxdigital television recorders will also be available so viewers can record, pause, rewind and fast forward their favourite TV programmes.
Freesat has its own seven-day on-screen electronic programme guide (EPG) and a channel guide so that viewers can easily find the programmes they want.
Where to get Freesat equipment and installation
Freesat is available in shops and online from major high street outlets Argos, Comet, Currys and John Lewis, plus some independent retailers. Retailers sell equipment and can also arrange installation by approved installers.
6 May 2008
FREESAT CHANNELS AT LAUNCH(EPG numbers in brackets)
Entertainment (101-199)
BBC One (101)
BBC Two (102)
ITV1 (103)
C4 / S4C in Wales (104)
BBC Three (106)
BBC Four (107)
BBC HD (108)
ITV2 (113)
ITV3 (115)
ITV3+1 (116)
ITV4 (117)
S4C Digidol / C4 in Wales (120)
E4(122)
More4 (124)
Zone Romantica (135)
Zone Thriller (137)
News and Sport (200-299)
BBC News (200)
BBC Parliament (201)
S4C2 (202)
Al-Jazeera English (203)
Euronews (204)
Movies (300-399)
Film4 (300)
True Movies (302)
True Movies2 (303)
Movies4Men (304)
Movies4Men2 (306)
Lifestyle (400-499)
Wedding TV (402)
Overseas Property Channel (411)
Men and Motors (450)
Music (500-599)
Chartshow TV (500)
The Vault (501)
Scuzz (502)
Bubble Hits (503)
B4U Music (504)
Children (600-649)
CBBC (600)
CBeebies (601)
CiTV (602)
POP (603)
POPGirl (604)
Tiny POP(605)
Special Interest (650-699)
Teachers TV (650)
 Radio (700-799)
BBC Radio 1 (700)
1Xtra BBC (701)
BBC Radio 2 (702)
BBC Radio 3 (703)
BBC Radio 4 FM (704)
BBC Radio 4 LW (705)
BBC Radio Five Live (706)
BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra (707)
BBC 6 Music (708)
BBC 7 (709)
BBC Asian Network (710)
BBC World Service (711)
BBC Radio Scotland (712)
BBC Radio nan Gaidheal (713)
BBC Radio Wales (714)
BBC Radio Cymru (715)
BBC Radio Ulster (716)
BBC London 94.9 (718)
Shopping (800-849)
QVC (800)
Price Drop TV (801)
Bid TV (802)
Pitch TV (803)
JML Lifestyle (810)
Interactive (900-949)
BBCi
Regional (950-999) also accessible via BBC One/BBC Two
BBC One London (950)
BBC One Channel Islands (951)
BBC One East (W) (954)
BBC One Northern Ireland (957)
BBC One Scotland (960)
BBC One Wales (964)
BBC Two England (968)
BBC Two Northern Ireland (969)
BBC Two Scotland (970)
BBC Two Wales (971)
ITV regionals accessed via ITV1 London (not listed separately)
Ulster
STV Scottish East
STV Scottish West
ITV1 Wales
ITV1 Border England
ITV1 Central West
ITV1 Granada
ITV1 Anglia East
Channel TV
STV Grampian North
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FREESAT
What is Freesat?
Freesat is the new, free, digital satellite television service from the BBC and ITV. With Freesat there’s no contract and no subscription, just a one-off payment for equipment. All Freesat’s channels and services are free.
What do I get with Freesat?
Freesat has over 80 channels – TV, radio, interactive – and two high definition channels (BBC HD now, and ITV HD soon). Freesat has entertainment, movies, music, news and children’s channels so there’s something for the whole family. Freesat also has high-speed digital text, digital subtitles and audio description. More channels and services will be added each month to Freesat after launch, so the number of channels will grow.
Can everyone get Freesat?
Almost everyone in the UK can get Freesat – because it’s broadcast by satellite it reaches 98% of UK households. (A small number of people may not be able to get Freesat, either because it’s not possible to install a dish on their home with direct ‘line of sight’ to the satellite, or because they aren’t allowed to put a dish on their building.)
How do I get Freesat?
Freesat is available in shops and online at major high street retailers Argos, Comet, Currys, John Lewis and some independent retailers. Retailers sell equipment and will also organise installation from an approved installer who meets industry standards.
What Freesat equipment is available and how much is it?
Freesat has the following options:
Freesat digital box (from £49): all Freesat channels in standard definition, seven-day on-screen programme guide, interactive TV and digital text.
Freesat HD digital box (from around £120): all the features of the digital box, plus Freesat’s high definition channels. (To view in high definition (HD) you will also need an HD-ready TV.)
Freesat HD digital TV recorder (price tbc): all the features of the HD box plus the ability to record, pause, and rewind live TV.
Freesat HD integrated digital television (price tbc): a high definition television set with Freesat HD already built-in, so there’s no need for a separate box.
Installation costs from around £80 and includes the satellite dish.
Will I need to do anything to get the new channels added after launch date?
No. Your Freesat equipment will be automatically updated so there’s no need to do anything.
What is high definition (HD) television?
High definition television has pictures which are much sharper and clearer than ordinary, standard definition, television pictures, with five times more detail. HD television also has surround sound. Watching and listening in HD is a more cinematic experience and the sound and pictures are much more life-like.
Do I need special equipment for Freesat HD television?
Yes. You need a Freesat HD digital box connected to an HD-ready TV, or an HD television with Freesat already built-in. To listen in surround sound you’ll also need home cinema equipment.
But I already have an HD TV – doesn’t that mean I’m watching in high definition now?
Not necessarily. Most people with HD-ready televisions aren’t watching HD. You’re only watching HD if you have your television connected to an HD digital box which receives an HD service. Freesat gives you two HD services for free.
I already have a satellite dish – could I use that to get Freesat?
Yes, if you already have a satellite dish on your home you may be able to use it to get Freesat, but it’s best to get advice from your Freesat retailer. (If your satellite dish is still under warranty then connecting Freesat equipment may void the warranty, so do check the contract you have with your satellite provider.)
Press release taken from freesat.co.uk
