View Full Version : BBC and ITV to launch free satelite to rival SKY
thelocalman
07-09-2005, 08:05
The BBC and ITV are to launch a free-to-view satellite TV service to cater for viewers unable to receive Freeview digital coverage.
ITV announced plans for the service, to be called Freesat, on Wednesday.
Freesat, to be launched early in 2006, will rival BSkyB and will carry all BBC and ITV digital TV, interactive and radio services plus other channels.
BBC director general Mark Thompson said the announcement "paved the way" for nationwide free digital television.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4221722.stm
Hope it takes off, my freeview reception is crap
MetalGearAl
07-09-2005, 08:27
So now all the people who upgraded their aerials, bought freeview boxes, etc. and still can't get it now have to shell out for a new box and satellite dish? :p
ShakeyJake
07-09-2005, 08:31
Isn't Sky's free satellite thing called Freesat?
:edit: http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/ - yes it is :shrug:
Andrew WK
07-09-2005, 08:33
Is there gonna be any advantage over Freeview ie: more channels or is it aimed mainly at those who can't get a decent reception?
Certainly more scope for channels given the limited capacity of digital terrestrial. More scope also for interactive facilities.
I guess it'll be no use for the "I don't want an ugly dish" brigade who I've always found a bit daft.
Just to add I think this is good news for BSkyB. With people already having a dish installed and pointing at the correct orbital position it would make upgrading to Sky Digital an easier task. The more people who have dishes the more Sky Digital becomes like Freeview - plug in the box and watch.
How is it going to rival sky if it's just the same channels as freeview? :thinking:
good stuff, Freeview is rubbish, hopefully ITV can provide a line-up similar to what the BBC removed.
Andrew WK
07-09-2005, 10:17
I guess it'll be no use for the "I don't want an ugly dish" brigade who I've always found a bit daft.
That'll be my Mum then :oh-hum:
Ironically she lives in one of the areas where you can't get Freeview so in a few years she may not have any choice!
Isn't Sky's free satellite thing called Freesat?
:edit: http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/ - yes it is :shrug:
In that case I don't see why they're announcing it like it's a new thing! It doesn't really rival Sky either since it's effectively Sky. No one's going to go, "Shall I have Sky or Freesat?". You'd only go for Freesat if you didn't want to pay subscriptions
Certainly more scope for channels given the limited capacity of digital terrestrial. More scope also for interactive facilities.
I guess it'll be no use for the "I don't want an ugly dish" brigade who I've always found a bit daft.
Just to add I think this is good news for BSkyB. With people already having a dish installed and pointing at the correct orbital position it would make upgrading to Sky Digital an easier task. The more people who have dishes the more Sky Digital becomes like Freeview - plug in the box and watch.
To be fair they did used to be large, pug ugly things. The mini-dishes they use for digital do make me wonder why the fuss has carried on.
True they did used to be fairly nasty but most people could probably have them on the side of the house. To be honest, if you stood outside looking at your own house all day I could see why it might bother you but out of sight, out of mind.
I just got Sky installed and my dad didn't like the idea of even the minidish, even though it's practically inconspicuous
Edit: This might clear things up. Apparently BBC/ITV are launching their own service and it will be seperate from Sky but confusingly it'll also be called "Freesat". They also have plans to go unencrypted so you won't need any viewing cards to watch
Links here (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds24153.html) and here (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds24162.html)
well my sky shares have gone up today and yesterday.....Sky works, get rid of the licence fee and cut the BBC free....
ian_davies
07-09-2005, 15:49
Wait a minute.... I'm one of those that can't receive Freeview (mainly because they haven't bothered upgrading the relay aerial nearby) However, I can't get Sky either because of the hill in front of my house that blocks the signal.
What am I meant to do?!
Wait a minute.... I'm one of those that can't receive Freeview (mainly because they haven't bothered upgrading the relay aerial nearby) However, I can't get Sky either because of the hill in front of my house that blocks the signal.
What am I meant to do?!
Move house.
As BBC (currently) and ITV (in a few months) are unencrypted this new freesat system means you will be able to use any make of box, not just a Sky one which takes one of the FTA cards which you get with the Sky freeview system.
Good news as ITV2 and ITV4 (Men & Motors) will each go subscription free on satellite, ITV1, ITV News and ITV3 already are.
Only downside is I can't see C4 joining in, especially for E4 as they are tied into this being subscription only via Sky until 2007/8.
It would only be worthwhile if they make all the other Freeview channels join which are currently subscription via Sky like TMF, ABC1, UKHistory etc.
jonorigin
08-09-2005, 08:54
Sounds like it could be good! Hopefully they will also have enough space to roll out some HD channels at some point as well!
Sounds like it could be good! Hopefully they will also have enough space to roll out some HD channels at some point as well!
The BBC have leased transponder space from Astra for HD.
They are the only UK channel apart from Sky to do so so far. Discovery, National Geographic and Artsworld are also said to be actively considering doing so prior to Sky's launch.
fattyboombatty
09-09-2005, 17:23
Wait a minute.... I'm one of those that can't receive Freeview (mainly because they haven't bothered upgrading the relay aerial nearby) However, I can't get Sky either because of the hill in front of my house that blocks the signal.
What am I meant to do?!
Buy a shovel. :D
kiran_mk2
09-09-2005, 18:10
Forgive me if I'm being thick, but is this freesat service going to need it's own satellites or are they simply going to provide boxes and dishes to point at other people's satellites?
PockyMonster
10-09-2005, 01:26
It doesn't really make much sense.. Freesat has been running for a long time now, and the only thing sky enforce (and its not their idea anyway) is that if you want to view ITV you need a viewing card.. they cost £10 and aren't subbed. I don't see what there is to rival, its like saying you'll put a rival alternative to freeview out there....
I'm imagining they'll use Astra, as it makes the most sense, and what will they do? Piggyback on the FTA chans that are already on there with a few more and pretend they're offering the service, or duplicate the channels in a second FTA state.. its all very bizarre.
And minidishes may look small, but they are crap. I'd much prefer a BUD (Big Ugly Dish) on motorised in my back yard.. I think they look ace personally :D (Can you tell I like the movie 'The Dish' ? :) )
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