From April, the high definition simulcast of the Channel 4 network will become the fourth HD channel on Freesat, joining BBC One HD, the BBC HD channel and ITV1 HD.

Channel 4 HD launched on Sky in 2007 and has since become available on Virgin Media in summer 2009 and the Freeview HD platform in April last year.

Freesat managing director Emma Scott said: “This is fantastic news for Freesat. Channel 4 HD is a high quality channel and we’re sure it’ll prove popular with our discerning viewers.

“The addition of a fourth HD channel makes Freesat an even more attractive offer for savvy TV viewers looking for quality TV without monthly bills.”

CSC Media-owned True Entertainment, which was formerly Showcase TV, will offer a schedule of ‘true to life’ programming, including true story films and dramatised documentaries.

Showcase, which is a new channel from Information TV, will offer a broad mix of drama, music and science fiction programming.

Freesat’s head of channels Mark Briggs commented:

“The exciting launch of both of these channels to the Freesat service further emphasises our dedication to delivering real choice and high quality entertainment to our viewers,”

“True Entertainment and Showcase complement our existing entertainment and lifestyle lineups perfectly and we expect them to prove popular with our audience.”

Information TV commercial director Tony Blin-Stoyle commented:

“We’re delighted that Showcase is now on Freesat, a platform that offers access to a million new viewers.

“As our channels develop and we bring new programmes and formats to digital television, it is essential that the viewer can choose where they want to watch them.”

CSC managing director Remy Minute added:

“True Entertainment features rich and rewarding programming that we’re sure Freesat viewers will love.”

You will need to force a re tune if your receiver or TV does not prompt you.

The news channel beat the BBC News channel, Bloomberg, CNN and BBC Radio 5 Live to the accolade.

Best Entertainment Channel went to E4 ahead of BBC HD, BBC Three and ITV2, while ‘Best Music Channel’ was given to urban music network Flava.

Food Network UK was a very popular choice as Best Lifestyle Channel, and the Horror Channel took home the accolade for Best Themed Channel.

BBC Cbeebies won the Best Children’s Channel competing against CBBC, along with Kix and Milkshake.

Best Shopping Channel was awarded to QVC, while the Judges’ Special Award went to ITV1 HD.

In the viewer-voted categories, shopping channel Ideal World was named TV Channel Of The Year and Planet Rock scooped Radio Station Of The Year.

Freesat managing director Emma Scott commented:

“I’d like to congratulate all the winners honoured for their massive contribution to Freesat’s continued success,”

“We”re proud to celebrate the original, high quality programming that keeps our audience entertained and informed and we look forward to bringing viewers even more exciting channels and services in the future.”

Freesat, the free-to-air satellite TV service, will become home to the first ever HD World Cup with matches being shared by BBC HD and ITV1 HD this summer. For a one-off payment of just £68 viewers can upgrade their World Cup viewing to high definition and enjoy it all completely subscription free with Freesat. The new online guide – at freesat.co.uk/worldcup - will feature a range of football content to help people get ready for the tournament, including exclusive news blogs from Match of the Day’s Lee Dixon.

‘Freesat is offering everything World Cup followers need this summer’ says Lee Dixon. ‘Not only will they be showing games in HD but their online guide will feature a host of information to ensure everyone is set for the beautiful game – from comprehensive match planners to brilliant world cup facts to impress your mates. Plus, on my personal blog you’ll find my views and analysis on stories as they emerge from the England camp, predictions for the group stages and my view on who could be this year’s champions’.

With Freesat everyone can watch this festival of football in HD from as little as £68, wherever they live in the UK. With no contract, no monthly bills to pay, just a one-off payment, Freesat makes substituting your standard TV for High definition hassle-free. HD really brings football on TV to life, making viewers at home feel like part of the action. From high speed tackles to that breathtaking golden goal – you won’t miss a thing watching in pin sharp clarity.

With the World Cup now only 72 days away, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll be watching the summer’s premiere sporting event and where to get the best deal to get the most out of your HD ready TV this summer.

Subscription-free digital satellite TV service, Freesat, has delivered 1 million sales in a little over 18 months since its launch in May 2008. 

Freesat enjoyed an excellent Christmas and New Year, increasing sales by 250,000 over Christmas and New Year. As a result, the service now accounts for 30 percent of all set top boxes (STB) sold in the UK based on value.

The majority of Freesat sales have come from homes with existing satellite dishes, with 40 percent of all sales coming from Sky homes.

Emma Scott, managing director of Freesat comments, “Hitting 1 million sales is significant milestone for Freesat and gives us a great foundation for further growth, specifically with the millions of UK homes that have HD TVs but no HD service. 

“Freesat is a great opportunity for the millions of homes with existing satellite dishes who are used to quality TV but no longer want to pay a monthly subscription for it and we continue to see an increasing number of viewers moving across from pay TV.”

“Much of what we’re now working on is paving the way for next generation free TV with innovations like BBC iPlayer and ITV Player. We will continue to add value to the service by integrating Canvas if approved by the BBC Trust and we are following Ofcom’s Pay TV review with interest.”

John Cresswell, interim Chief Executive, ITV plc, said, “We’re delighted with Freesat’s success – a million sales in less than two years is a terrific achievement. Freesat is an important distribution platform for ITV, providing our audiences with next generation free HD services and the capability for further development. We’re confident Freesat will continue to go from strength to strength.”

 Mark Thompson, Director-General, BBC, said, “The development of Freesat has extended the choices available to viewers in allowing them to receive all of the BBC’s digital channels including BBC HD. I’m pleased to see that they have reached this latest landmark, meaning that more people are enjoying quality BBC content.”

However even when Freeview HD has been switched on everywhere there will still be places where there is no signal or a very week signal this is where Freesat comes into its own. If you can get clear line of site to the satellite you can have Freesat with it’s HD in all its glory.

Freesat HD tuners and Freeview HD :

• LCD TX-L37G20B
• LCD TX-L32G20B
• LCD TX-L42W20B
• LCD TX-L37W20B
• LCD TX-L37V20B
• LCD TX-L37D28BS
• LCD TX-L32D28BS
• LCD TX-L32D28BW
• LCD TX-L32D28BP
• LCD TX-L42D25B
• LCD TX-L37D25B
• Plasma TX-P65VT20B
• Plasma TX-P50VT20B
• Plasma TX-P50V20B
• Plasma TX-P42V20B
• Plasma TX-P50G20B
• Plasma TX-P46G20B
• Plasma TX-P42G20B

Outline of the 2010 Series Line-Up

VT20 Series
Being the first FULL HD 3D TV series in the Panasonic line-up, the VT20 Series stands out with its unsurpassed image quality. The series includes 65-inch and 50-inch models. All feature 600Hz Sub-field Drive Intelligent Frame Creation Pro, 1080 Lines Moving Picture Resolution, Infinite Black Pro (Native Contrast of Over 5,000,000:1), VIERA CAST and lots of other networking functions. This year’s top-of-the-line VT20 Series models boast a stylish look with their brown keynote colour based on the metallic concept.  Combining FULL HD 3D technology, extensive high-image-quality features, advanced networking functions that enhance entertainment, and attractive styling, the VT20 Series is truly high-end in every way. 

V20 Series
The V20 Series of Plasma TVs includes 50-inch and 42-inch models. This series boasts many of the same high-image-quality features and technologies as the top-of-the-line VT20 Series, including 600Hz Sub-field Drive Intelligent Frame Creation Pro, 1080 Lines Moving Picture Resolution, Infinite Black Pro (Native Contrast of Over 5,000,000:1), THX Certified Display, and Digital Cinema Colour. They also feature a host of link functions that enhance entertainment, led by VIERA CAST, VIERA Image Viewer for motion picture and music playback, and VIERA Link. This series will fully satisfy movie aficionados and discriminating users who insist on the highest image quality. A cabinet with sophisticated titanium colour, slim 2-inch profile, and metallic concept design give these models an unusually elegant and stately presence.
The VIERA V20 LCD TV Series comprises high-end 42-inch and 37-inch IPS LED LCD TVs. Both models feature 200 Backlight blinking Intelligent Frame Creation Pro, dynamic contrast of 2,000,000:1 with Intelligent Scene Controller, and an advanced IPS panel that assures superior image quality over a wide viewing angle. Taking full advantage of Panasonic’s leading IPS LED LCD technology, these models deliver exquisitely beautiful images. They also feature a variety of link functions, including VIERA CAST, VIERA Image Viewer for motion picture and music playback, and VIERA Link. As with V20 plasma models, V20 LCD models are extremely elegant in appearance with their titanium colour, slim cabinet and metallic concept design.

D28 Series
The VIERA D28 Series features 37-inch, 32-inch, 22-inch and 19-inch IPS LED LCD TVs. The 37-inch and 32-inch models have Full HD capability and feature 200 Backlight blinking Intelligent Frame Creation Pro, dynamic contrast of 2,000,000:1 with Intelligent Scene Controller, an IPS panel with a wide viewing angle, VIERA CAST, VIERA Image Viewer for motion picture and music playback, and VIERA Link. The 22-inch and 19-inch models have HD capability and come equipped with a special dock that makes it easy to connect an iPod or iPhone and play back stored music, still images and video.
In appearance, the D28 Series features a slim, 1.5-inch profile and a stylish photo frame design. Models are available in white, purple and silver to match a variety of interior colour schemes.

D25 Series
The VIERA D25 Series comprises 42-inch, 37-inch and 32-inch IPS LED LCD TVs. All models feature Intelligent Frame Creation Pro, dynamic contrast of 2,000,000:1 with Intelligent Scene Controller, an IPS panel with a wide viewing angle, VIERA CAST, VIERA Image Viewer for motion picture and music playback, and VIERA Link. The D25 Series has an attractive appearance with a slim, stylish 1.5-inch cabinet.

G20 Series
The VIERA G20 Plasma TV Series comes in 50-inch, 46-inch and 42-inch models. Incorporating advanced NeoPDP technology, these step-up models deliver superior image quality and come equipped with a host of entertainment-enhancing link functions. All G20 models feature 600Hz Sub-field Drive Intelligent Frame Creation Pro, 1080 Lines Moving Picture Resolution, Infinite Black (Native Contrast of 5,000,000:1), VIERA CAST, VIERA Image Viewer for motion picture and music playback, and VIERA Link.
The VIERA G20 LCD TV Series comes in  37-inch and 32-inch models. All feature 200 Backlight blinking Intelligent Frame Creation Pro, an IPS Alpha Panel with a wide viewing angle, dynamic contrast of 100,000:1 with Intelligent Scene Controller, VIERA Cast, VIERA Image Viewer for motion picture and music playback, and VIERA Link.

S20 Series
The VIERA S20 Plasma TV Series comes in 50-inch, 46-inch and 42-inch models. All models are full-HD. Recommended for those who want an ideal balance of performance and features, this series has 600Hz Sub-field Drive Intelligent Frame Creation Pro, 1080 Lines Moving Picture Resolution, native contrast of 2,000,000:1, VIERA Image Viewer for motion picture playback, and VIERA Link.
The VIERA S20 LCD TV Series comes in  37-inch and 32-inch models. All feature 100Hz Intelligent Frame Creation Pro, an IPS Alpha Panel with a wide viewing angle, dynamic contrast of 100,000:1 with Intelligent Scene Controller, VIERA Image Viewer for motion picture playback, and VIERA Link.

 “Being able to broadcast this year’s BET Awards exclusively on Freesat in HD is a real coup and we hope Freesat viewers will really enjoy watching some of the world’s biggest entertainers like Beyonce and Jay Z with amazing HD picture and sound quality”.
 
“We’re committed to bringing our viewers brilliant HD programming completely subscription-free and we hope this will be the first of many Freesat HD exclusives”.