Freesat and Freesat HD
Freesat is a new digital satellite television and radio service that launched in May 2008 that will allow almost all UK households to receive high-definition content from the BBC and ITV for free.
About Freesat
Freesat is another joint venture between the BBC and ITV, similar in concept to Freeview but using a satellite rather than an aerial transmission system. There is no monthly or yearly charge, simply one single upfront payment required for the equipment purchase and installation.
The service should be available to virtually all UK households, the only exceptions being properties without a line of sight to the satellite’s south-easterly position in the sky.
Basic, standard-definition Freesat set-top boxes are available from £50 upwards with high-definition decoders starting around £100. Installation charges vary but are typically around the £80 mark, covering the purchase and installation cost of the satellite dish at your home. Installation can usually be arranged from a retailer at the same time the equipment is purchased.
Freesat is available from Argos, Comet, Currys, John Lewis and a number of independent retailers.
The service features a line-up of around 80 standard-definition channels including the regular BBC and ITV terrestrial, digital and interactive channels with more channels being added regularly.
Freesat HD for High-Definition HDTV
As a satellite based service, so not competing for terrestrial broadcast space, Freesat has the potential to offer a large number of high-definition channels. Although at present the majority of the channels available are broadcast in standard-definition, over time the new and existing channels will become available in HD.
At present there is only one high-definition channel available from the BBC, BBC HD, however a second channel from ITV will launch in the near future, and in the medium term further HDTV channels and services will be added over time.
The Freesat platform supports programme transmission in both the 720p and 1080i high-definition formats allowing broadcasters to choose format that best matches with their programme content.
As with any other high-definition service a suitable HD Ready or equivalent television will be required, but the service will offer the first free access to high-definition content to around 98% of the UK population.