Apr 30 2008
The launch date for subscription-free satellite service Freesat has been confirmed as May 6. Freesat receivers go on sale from May 1. The service, developed by the BBC and ITV, is designed to encourage takeup of free to air satellite in a manner similar to the success enjoyed by digital terrestrial’s. Freesat receivers will include […]
Apr 18 2008
Freesat set-top boxes from Alba brand Grundig have appeared “for sale” on a retailer’s website. Comet listed a high definition box, the GRUNDIG GUFSATHD, for £149.99 and a standard definition model, GUFSAT01, for £49.99. No pictures and few specifications were given, though Comet said the dimensions of both were 25x15x4cm. The models appeared available to […]
Apr 8 2008
The BBC has confirmed, that the launch date for Freesat is expected to be Monday 5th May through those retailers appointed by the platform. Updates will occur on the official site within the next week or so. They have however suggested that whilst the 5th is the date they are aiming for, if the service […]
Apr 2 2008
Humax will release a Freesat video recorder after the subscription-free satellite service launches, its chief technologist has said. The company is one of several manufacturers licensed to make set-top boxes for the ITV and BBC joint venture. Bob Hannent, Humax’s chief technologist, said: “Humax had concentrated its efforts on first developing a stable high definition […]
Feb 22 2008
Freesat has rejected a claim it will “struggle” to win viewers because of Sky’s dominance. Speaking at a broadcast conference last week, Top Up TV chief executive Nick Markham said Sky had “sewn up satellite” so Freesat would find it difficult to survive when it launches in the spring. Freesat responded that its strength would […]
Nov 30 2007
Freesat have launched their website, unveiling the digital satellite platforms new logo. Freesat was set up to ensure that all UK households have the opportunity to digital TV, subscription-free – no matter where you live in the UK. Freesat came together formally in May 2007 as a joint venture between the BBC and ITV, and […]
Nov 10 2007
Freesat’s carriage costs are to be a fraction of those on the Sky Digital platform. Freesat will charge £1500 for each channel’s pre-registration and a £30,000 fee for a Freesat TV EPG number and £10,000 for a radio channel. The deadline for broadcasters wanting to join the new platform is November 21st 2007. The Freesat […]
Nov 6 2007
Freesat, the free-to-air satellite television service backed by the BBC and ITV, has boosted its team ahead of its launch next year with the appointments of DTG director general Richard Lindsay-Davies as commercial development director, Will Abbott as brand marketing and communications director, Chrysalis group finance manager Simon Winder as finance director and James Atkins, […]
Sep 25 2007
Channel 4 will be joining the Freesat line-up in 2008 when its encryption contract with Sky expires. The broadcaster will be part of Freesat from its launch in early 2008, thanks to Film4, though the other Four-branded channels are currently covered by a Sky encryption contract until August/September 2008 (not confirmed). A Channel 4 source […]
Sep 18 2007
Arqiva has been awarded a contract by the BBC to help create the Freesat platform, due for launch next March. The company has been working with the BBC for more than 18 months to develop initial plans, and began platform testing last month. Alan Boyle, head of BBC distribution operations, said: “The Arqiva team knows […]
Sep 7 2007
Digital TV Group has announced that it is developing a common test specification for Freesat receivers. Richard Lindsay-Davies, director general of the Digital TV Group said: ‘A common specification for service and receiver performance is critical to the success of advanced digital services as it provides the framework for a vibrant and stable market. In […]
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May 2 2008
ITV HD only on Freesat?
Speculation is mounting that ITV’s new high definition service will be exclusive to Freesat. Test transmissions for ITV HD are now being broadcast on Eurobird 1 at 11.428 GHz with horizontal polarisation, a symbol rate of 27500, and a service ID of 10510. However, the stream may not be viewed on Sky boxes, nor traditional […]
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By Expat • UK Media News • Tags: Freesat, ITV HD