Digital TV News

Brits missing out on free satellite TV

Wednesday 6 January, 2009

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

Over half a million UK households have satellite dishes attached to their properties that are not being used, new figures reveal.

Around 600,000 homes currently have an inactive satellite TV dish attached to their property, according to research by electronics giant Harvard International.

The company, which distributes Grundig and Goodmans digital television equipment, has suggested that many households around the country are not making use of the hardware they have to get the best and cheapest digital TV service available to them.

John Edwards, Harvard International’s director of communications said: “We really want to help digitally dormant homes to get connected to the best TV experience possible.

“It’s particularly simple for homes to enable Freesat or Freesat+ if they already have a satellite TV dish connected to their home.”

He advised consumers to make use of their satellite dishes and invest in a Freesat or Freesat+ set-top box.

Grundig and Goodmans Freesat boxes can be bought from as little as £49, and are available from high street and online retailers such as Argos, Comet, John Lewis, Maplin, Play.com and Tesco.

“Connecting one to an existing satellite TV dish will undoubtedly turn any digitally dormant household into digital devotees,” added Edwards.

Freesat is the free-to-view satellite TV service provided by the BBC and ITV. It offers more than 120 channels, is available in 98% of the UK, and is subscription-free.