Digital TV News

BBC and ITV launch Freeview satellite service

2 May, 2007

editorial@consumerchoices.co.uk

The BBC and ITV have been given approval to launch a national free-to-view satellite TV service as a joint venture.

The service will provide standard and High Definition-enabled digital satellite TV, with up to 200 channels, without the need to pay a subscription. Currently known as ‘Freesat’, it should be launched in Spring 2008.

‘Freesat’ provides a secondary way for consumers to receive cheap digital TV if they are currently unable to get reception on a Freeview box.

ITV Executive Chairman, Michael Grade, said: "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.”

Mark Thompson, Director-General of the BBC, said: "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."

‘Freesat’ will be fully interactive. Customers will have a choice of hardware, which will include a High Definition personal video recorder.

Chris Eagle, commercial manager at DigitalChoices.co.uk, commented: “At last, customers of free-to-view digital TV will get the same HD services as those paying a subscription. This is another step forward for the digital switchover starting in 2008.”

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