Freesat

Freesat is a subscription-free satellite television service for the UK, offering over 100 TV and radio channels, including many in HD. It was founded as a joint venture between the BBC and ITV and is now owned by Everyone TV, a consortium of the UK’s four public service broadcasters.

Key Features

• No Monthly Bills: Once you have the necessary equipment, there are no ongoing fees for the satellite TV service.
• Satellite Reception: The service is delivered via a satellite dish, using the same satellites as Sky TV. This makes it a good alternative in areas where digital terrestrial TV (Freeview) reception is poor.
• Channels & On-Demand: Freesat provides access to all the main UK channels (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, etc.), plus many others. Compatible set-top boxes can also connect to the internet to offer on-demand players like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Netflix, and Prime Video (some require separate subscriptions).
• Equipment: To use Freesat, you need a satellite dish and a Freesat-compatible TV or set-top box. Recordable 4K TV boxes are available, allowing you to pause, rewind, and record live TV.

How to Access Freesat
You have a few options for getting Freesat:

• Integrated TV: Many modern smart TVs, such as most Samsung models, have a built-in Freesat tuner (DVB-S2). You just need to connect a satellite cable directly to the TV.
• Set-Top Box: You can purchase a separate Freesat box and connect it to your TV via an HDMI cable.
• Satellite Dish: If you don’t already have a satellite dish (e.g., from a previous Sky installation), you will need to have one installed.

Website: www.freesat.co.uk

Channels on Freesat

Freesat in the UK offers over 100 TV channels, including more than 25 in HD, and 30 radio stations, with a one-off payment for equipment and installation and no monthly bills. The specific channels available are consistent across the whole of the UK.
Channels include:

• Entertainment/General: BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, Channel 4, Channel 5, BBC Three, BBC Four, Dave, Pick TV.
• High Definition (HD): A wide selection of channels are available in HD, including BBC One HD, BBC Two HD, ITV1 HD, Channel 4 HD, and NHK World HD.
• News: BBC News, Sky News, Al Jazeera English, CNN International, EuroNews.
• Films: Film4, Film4 +1, True Movies.
• Childrens: CBBC, CBeebies, POP, Tiny Pop.
• Lifestyle & Music: Food Network, Heart TV, Capital TV, Yesterday, Home, Really.
• Timeshift Services (+1 channels): Many popular channels offer a +1 version, allowing you to watch programmes one hour later (e.g., ITV2 +1, Channel 4 + 1, E4 +1, Channel 5 + 1).
• On Demand/Internet: Freesat boxes with internet connectivity offer on-demand services like BBC iPlayer and ITVX. 

Streaming Services

Freesat provides access to a wide range of free and subscription-based video on demand (VOD) services through its internet-connected 4K TV Boxes.
You can access both free catch-up services and premium subscription apps, provided your Freesat box is connected to the internet.

Free Catch-Up Services
These services are generally free to use, typically with ads.

• BBC iPlayer
• ITVX (available in England, Wales, and the Channel Islands)
• Channel 4
• My5
• STV Player
• UKTV Play
• YouTube
• BBC Sounds

Subscription Services
Access to these services requires a separate paid subscription.

• Netflix
• Prime Video
• BritBox
• Curzon Home Cinema

To use VOD services, you will need:

• A compatible Freesat 4K TV Box (recordable or non-recordable).
• A broadband internet connection (minimum recommended speed 2 Mbps).

Freesat Reception Equipment

Freesat-compatible Satellite Dish: This is necessary to capture the satellite signal. A standard Sky Zone 1 dish (around 45 cm) is typically sufficient for most of the UK, while a larger dish may be needed for fringe areas in the far north or Scotland.
LNB (Low Noise Block Downconverter): This device is mounted on the satellite dish’s arm and receives the signal, converting it for the receiver. A wideband LNB is required to use all the features of the newest 4K TV boxes, such as recording multiple channels simultaneously.
Freesat Receiver/Set-Top Box: This unit decodes the satellite signals and sends them to your TV via an HDMI cable. If you want to record, pause, or rewind live TV, you’ll need a recordable box, which usually has a built-in hard drive (e.g., 500GB, 1TB, or 2TB options). Alternatively, some modern TVs have an integrated DVB-S2 satellite tuner that is Freesat-enabled.

Freesat Technical Details

Freesat is a free-to-air digital satellite television platform for the UK, operating from the Astra 28.2°E satellite fleet. It provides over 100 channels, including more than 25 in HD, without monthly subscription fees.
Broadcasting Standards and Technologies
Satellite Location: Freesat broadcasts from the Astra 28.2°E satellites, the same used by Sky UK.

Transmission Standards:
Standard Definition (SD) channels primarily use DVB-S and MPEG-2 encoding.
High Definition (HD) and 4K channels typically use DVB-S2 or DVB-S2X and the more efficient MPEG-4 (H.264) or H.265 (for 4K) encoding.

• Modulation: Signals use QPSK and 8PSK modulation.
• Frequency/Symbol Rate: Common symbol rates are 22000 and 27500.
• LNB Types: Freesat boxes work with Universal LNBs, while newer 4K boxes are designed for Wideband LNBs (or Hybrid LNBs) to enable features like recording multiple channels simultaneously.
• Signal Reception: Channels are broadcast “in the clear” (unencrypted), meaning they can be received by any compatible satellite receiver, though specific Freesat features require a certified box.

Receiver Specifications and Features

Freesat receivers, such as the current generation 4K boxes, incorporate modern technologies:

• Connectivity: All official Freesat boxes include an Ethernet port for on-demand services, with current models also featuring built-in Wi-Fi.
• On-Demand/Interactive TV: Freesat boxes support a range of on-demand players (e.g., BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Netflix). The platform uses MHEG-5 for interactive TV services and the Freetime generation uses HbbTV and HTML5.
• Electronic Program Guide (EPG): Receivers offer a 7-day forward and backward EPG (on Freetime models) for seamless viewing and recording.
• Video Output: Standard HD boxes support up to 1080p via HDMI, while 4K boxes support Ultra HD resolution (2160p).
• Recording (PVR): Recordable 4K TV boxes (available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB models) allow users to pause, rewind, and record live TV, including up to 4 programs at once (requires a wideband LNB setup).
• Audio: Support for Dolby Digital Plus/Pulse is standard.

Platform Management
Freesat’s operation merged with Digital UK (now known as Everyone TV) in 2021, the same body that manages Freeview, ensuring a unified approach to free-to-air TV in the UK.

Contacting Freesat

Website: www.freesat.co.uk
Email: Customerteam@freesat.co.uk
Phone: 0845 313 0052

Postal Address:
Freesat
PO Box 6296
London W1A 3FF
United Kingdom