Digital TV Providers

Freesat

Updated: Wednesday 4 April, 2012

By Editorial

Freesat is a satellite TV service that lets you watch digital TV without having to sign up to a monthly subscription. But is it right for you?

If you want to watch digital TV, but don’t want to sign up to a premium TV service like Sky or Virgin Media, you may want to consider Freesat. Freesat offers a wide range of satellite digital TV channels without having to worry about monthly bills. Read on for more information…

• What is Freesat?
• How do I get Freesat?
• What set top boxes are available?
• Is Freesat right for me?

What is Freesat?

Freesat is a satellite TV service that offers every household in the UK the opportunity to watch digital TV without having to sign-up or pay for a monthly subscription. Similar to the service from Freeview, Freesat customers only have to pay a one-off charge for the equipment to receive the service. However, unlike Freeview, where the quality of the picture and choice of channels you’ll get are dependent on your postcode, Freesat offers every customer the same viewing experience. The service also provides extra channels that are not available on Freeview.

Freesat offers over 150 different TV, radio and interactive channels, including high-definition (HD) services from the BBC and ITV. All the existing mainstream channels such as BBC1 and ITV come as standard.

Freesat is a not-for-profit joint venture between the BBC and ITV.

How do I get Freesat?

Getting Freesat is simple and set-up is easy. As Freesat is a satellite TV service, a satellite dish is required but viewers can use an existing dish if they already have one from a previous service such as Sky, or they can pay to have one installed.

Freesat digiboxes are available either online or in-store, at retailers like Argos, Currys and Comet.

What set top boxes are available?

To watch Freesat, you’ll need a set top box. There are different options available to suit a variety of needs:

• Standard-definition (SD) digital box - provides over 140 digital TV channels and services
• High-definition (HD) digital box - provides over 140 channels, plus HD from the BBC and ITV
• Freesat+ HD digital television recorder - lets viewers to pause, rewind and record both SD and HD programming
• Integrated digital TV (IDTV) - some flat screen televisions have HD Freesat built in.

Is Freesat right for me?

If you’re looking for a digital TV service that offers a better picture and channel choice than Freeview, but doesn’t tie you in to a monthly contract, then Freesat is probably the best option for you.

However, if you’re looking for more channels, including channels with films and sport, you may be better signing up to a subscription service like Sky or Virgin Media.