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This article is about the free-to-air satellite service from the BBC and ITV. For the similarly named service from BSkyB, see Freesat from Sky. Freesat from Sky is a British Satellite television service from BSkyB which gives viewers access to over 200 Free-to-air channels some
freesat (UK) Ltd
Type Digital Satellite television provider
Founded 16 May 2007
Headquarters UK
Industry Media
Website http://www.freesat.co.uk/

freesat is a British free-to-air digital satellite television service developed by the BBC and ITV plc. MAY ( also known as: Mei メイ 메이 is a Korean singer well known in South Korea for singing the song "Miracle" Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located For other uses of this term see Industry (disambiguation An industry (from Latin industrius, "diligent industrious" A website (alternatively web site or Web site, a back-construction from the Proper noun World Wide Web) is a collection of Web pages The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Free-to-air (FTA Television (TV and Radio broadcasts are sent unencrypted and may be received via any suitable receiver Free-to-view Satellite television is Television delivered by the means of Communications satellites as compared to conventional Terrestrial television and Cable ITV plc ( is a British media company that operates 11 of the 15 regional television broadcasters that make up the ITV Network, the oldest and largest commercial The service began broadcasting on 6 May 2008 and offers a satellite alternative to the Freeview service on digital terrestrial television, with a selection of channels available without subscription for users purchasing a receiver. Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Freeview is an operator of free Digital terrestrial television in the United Kingdom, using the DVB-T standard Digital Terrestrial Television ( DTTV or DTT) is an implementation of digital technology to provide a greater number of channels and/or better quality of picture and The service makes use of the additional capacity available on digital satellite broadcasting to offer high-definition channels.

Contents

History

Background

BBC and ITV, the two biggest free-to-air broadcasters in the UK, have made their services available digitally through three routes: free-to-air via digital terrestrial and digital satellite, and subscription-only via digital cable.

On digital terrestrial, the channels have always been available free-to-air with the appropriate equipment. Digital Terrestrial Television ( DTTV or DTT) is an implementation of digital technology to provide a greater number of channels and/or better quality of picture and Free-to-air (FTA Television (TV and Radio broadcasts are sent unencrypted and may be received via any suitable receiver Free-to-view However, Freeview is currently available to only 73% of the population. [1] After analogue TV services are replaced in the planned digital switchover, this will increase to 98. Analog (or analogue) television encodes Television picture and sound information and transmits it as an Analog signal: one in which the Digital terrestrial television in the United Kingdom is made up of over fifty primarily free-to-air television channels (including all the national analogue stations 5% for the public service channels and 90% for the full Freeview service. In the United Kingdom the term " Public service broadcasting " (PSB refers to broadcasting intended for the public benefit rather than for purely commercial In order to provide more widespread coverage and a larger number of channels, a digital satellite alternative is necessary.

The digital satellite platform has largely been controlled by the commercial operator BSkyB. British Sky Broadcasting ( BSkyB — Sky Television and BSB) is a company that operates Sky Digital, a subscription television service in the Initially, both the BBC's and ITV's channels were encrypted since the original satellites used for Sky Digital broadcast to most of Europe but the broadcasters' rights for premium content such as films and sports typically covered the UK only.

The use of encryption meant that any viewer wishing to view the channels had to purchase equipment from Sky and pay for a free-to-view viewing card in order to decrypt the channels. Free-to-view ( FTV) is a term used in the United Kingdom for certain television channels on the Sky Digital satellite platform which require a working Similarly, in order to use the Videoguard encryption, the broadcasters needed to pay a fee to NDS Group. VideoGuard (sometimes referred to simply as NDS) produced by NDS, is a digital Encryption system for use with Conditional access television NDS Group plc ( is a DRM and Conditional access firm Its major shareholder is News Corporation.

Move to free-to-air

In May 2003 the BBC moved all of their channels onto the Astra 2D satellite which has a footprint that focuses more tightly on the UK. See Also Astra 2A co-located satellite Astra 2B co-located satellite Astra 2C co-located satellite [2] This move allowed the BBC to stop encrypting their broadcasts while continuing to meet their licence obligations. They dropped the encryption two months later. [3]

In September 2005, the BBC and ITV announced that they would collaborate on a free-to-air satellite service to complement Freeview. [4] Two months later, ITV also moved their channels over to Astra 2D and then made them free-to-air.

The free-to-air channels could then be received using any standard digital satellite (DVB-S) receiver. DVB-S is the original Digital Video Broadcasting forward error coding and modulation standard for Satellite television and dates from 1995 However, the Freesat project aims to provide a more managed service with an Electronic Programme Guide, interactive features and approved receivers, similar to the Freeview service launched three years earlier. Interactive television (generally known as iTV describes a number of techniques that allow viewers to interact with Television content as they view it

The initial plan was to release the service in early 2006. This was postponed to Autumn 2007 as approval from the BBC Trust was only received in April 2007. [5] However, the service was further delayed and was officially launched on 6 May 2008. Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common [6]

High definition

BBC HD was available on Freesat from launch day, with ITV HD scheduled to be added later. [7] As of May 2008, no high definition channels are available via digital terrestrial, however, Ofcom have confirmed that from 2009 high definition will be available on Freeview, requiring an HD Freeview box. [8]

Channels

See also: List of channels on freesat

Launch channels

The service launched officially on 6 May 2008. This is a list of services available via the Freesat satellite television service Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common From the launch, Freesat advertised all national television channels from BBC and ITV as being available on the platform (excluding ITV2 +1), as well as all national BBC radio networks. Independent Television (generally known as ITV) is a public service network of British commercial television broadcasters set up under the Independent [9] Channel 4 also managed to make most of their channels free-to-air in preparation for the launch, not including Channel 4 HD which was still encrypted. Channel 4 is a public-service Television and Radio broadcaster in the United Kingdom centred around a television channel of the same name which began ITV HD was not available at the launch, making BBC HD the only high definition channel available at launch. In addition some channels from other broadcasters such as Chello Zone, CSC Media Group, Al-Jazeera English and Euronews were included on the channel list. Chello Zone (formerly Zone Vision, Zone Media) is a London, United Kingdom -based television company founded in 1991 by CSC Media Group (formerly known as Chart Show Channels) are a UK -based Satellite television channel provider named after the defunct The Chart Al Jazeera English is a 24-hour English-language News and current affairs TV channel headquartered in Doha, Qatar. Euronews is a Multilingual and pan- European Television News channel launched on January 1 1993. [10] Five and its sister channels were notably absent at launch, as were channels from BSkyB, MTV Networks and UKTV.

Future channels

Freesat have said that they expect 200 channels to be available by the end of 2008, adding an additional 30 channels each month. [11]

Channels from one of the main terrestrial broadcasters in the UK, Five, are currently encrypted on digital satellite. Their contract for encryption is believed to end in July 2008. At launch, Freesat confirmed that Five would be added to the channel lineup during 2008. [12]

The Irish public broadcaster Radio Telefís Éireann, recently announced that its new international channel, RTÉ International, would be made available on the Freesat service by St. RTÉ International is the Working title of an international television service to be created by the national broadcaster of the Republic of Ireland, Radio Patrick's Day 2009. [13]

ITV HD will be exclusive to Freesat when it is launched in 2008, initially as a red-button interactive service. ITV HD is a British free-to-air high-definition television channel operated by ITV plc, the company which is contracted to provide 11 ITV services in England and Wales [14]

The BBC Executive does not currently anticipate any problems in securing a listing for the Gaelic Digital Service within the Freesat EPG and will launch when the channel launches in September 2008. [15]

Freeview channels that are unavailable on Freesat

Due to contractual issues, a number of channels which are available on Freeview will not be available on Freesat. Virgin 1, TMF, The Hits, UKTV History, Dave, Sky Three and Sky Sports News are all available on Freeview but encrypted on digital satellite. TMF (The Music Factory is a Pop music Television channel that operates in the Netherlands (TMF Nederland Belgium (TMF Vlaanderen the The Hits was a Music video channel in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland owned by Box Television. UKTV History (previously known as UK History until 8 March 2004) is a Television channel broadcasting in the United Kingdom as part Dave (previously UKTV G2, UKG², UK Gold 2 and UK Gold Classics) is a Television channel broadcasting in the United Kingdom Sky Sports News (SSN is a 24-hour sports news channel in the United Kingdom. Unless these channels also become free-to-air, they will be unavailable on Freesat.

Reception equipment

Receivers

At the launch of the service, there were two types of freesat receivers available — standard definition-only receivers and high definition-capable receivers. As of June 2008 there are only four companies licenced to produce freesat boxes [16]. No Freesat recorders (PVRs) have yet been formally announced but Humax have announced their intention to release one several months after the launch date. [17]

Satellite dish

The service makes use of the same fleet of satellites as the popular subscription satellite service Sky Digital: Astra 2 and Eurobird 1. Sky Digital is the brand name for British Sky Broadcasting 's digital Satellite television service transmitted from SES Astra satellites located at 28 SES Astra SA, is a corporate Subsidiary of SES, based in Betzdorf, in eastern Luxembourg, that owns and operates the Astra This means that any satellite dish which has been used to receive this service will be capable of receiving Freesat, with the addition of a receiver.

For users who do not currently have a satellite dish, Freesat offers an installation service which is made available through retailers and which is advertised in a leaflet included with Freesat receivers.

Outside the UK

It may be possible to receive freesat outside the UK, but with a larger dish as the Astra 2D footprint is intended to cover just the UK. Receivers ask for a postcode during installation, but this is just to determine which regional services to select.

Technical details

Freesat broadcasts from the same fleet of satellites (Astra 2 and Eurobird 1) as Sky Digital. Channels are broadcast using DVB-S. DVB-S is the original Digital Video Broadcasting forward error coding and modulation standard for Satellite television and dates from 1995 The Freesat electronic programme guide is broadcast from the Eurobird 1 satellite situated at 28. 5° east.

All the channels broadcasting to date are broadcasting using DVB-S. Standard definition channels are broadcast using MPEG-2 for compatibility with Sky Digital boxes. BBC HD is broadcast using MPEG-4 since it does not need to be compatible with Sky's non-HD boxes. Currently, BBC HD uses DVB-S since the channel shares a transponder with several SD channels.

The specification for freesat boxes includes having an ethernet socket on the back. This is to allow on demand programmes provided by the BBC iPlayer or the new on demand Kangaroo service (provided by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and five) to be viewed directly on the customer's television. This feature should become operational in the future.

Alternatives

Prior to the release of Freesat by the BBC and ITV, other alternatives for receiving non subscription satellite have been provided.

Freesat from Sky offered, for a one off installation fee, a non HD receiver, a viewing card and installation. Freesat from Sky is a British Satellite television service from BSkyB which gives viewers access to over 200 Free-to-air channels some This would not show Sky's premium channels, but would show a lot of other Free to Air satellite channels.

Also Free To Air satellite receivers and kits could be bought from specialist shops such as Maplin. These systems would not show encrypted content, and would only show "clear" unencrypted satellite broadcasts. However, because they were aimed at an amateur enthusiast audience in the UK, they would often also include DiSEqC controls so that other satellites for example, which broadcast other European countries TV programs (E. DiSEqC (Digital Satellite Equipment Control pronounced "Die-Sec" is a special communication protocol for use between a Satellite receiver and g. Russia, Poland, Germany, France, Ukraine etc) could also be watched if the user had more than one dish pointing to different satellites or a specialised motor on their dish.

References

  1. ^ The Consumer Experience - Policy Evaluation 07. Retrieved on 2008-05-11. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 330 - Byzantium is renamed ''Nova Roma'' during a dedication ceremony but is more popularly referred to as Constantinople
  2. ^ Jay, Alan. "BBC ceases Astra 2A transmissions", Digital Spy, 2003-05-29. Digital Spy (or DS as it is often known by its users is a British Entertainment and Media website noted for its extensive Big Brother coverage and forums Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian defeats the Sassanid army in the Battle of Ctesiphon, under the walls of the Retrieved on 2008-04-27. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1124 - David I becomes King of Scotland. 1296 - Battle of Dunbar: The Scots are defeated  
  3. ^ Jay, Alan. "BBC shifts FTA transmission date", Digital Spy, 2003-05-09. Digital Spy (or DS as it is often known by its users is a British Entertainment and Media website noted for its extensive Big Brother coverage and forums Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1457 BC - Battle of Megiddo (15th century BC between Thutmose III and a large Canaanite coalition under the King of Retrieved on 2008-04-27. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1124 - David I becomes King of Scotland. 1296 - Battle of Dunbar: The Scots are defeated  
  4. ^ "BBC and ITV to start Sky TV rival", BBC News, bbc.co.uk, 2005-11-07. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1492 - The Ensisheim Meteorite the oldest Meteorite with a known date of impact strikes the Earth around noon in a Wheat Retrieved on 2008-04-27. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1124 - David I becomes King of Scotland. 1296 - Battle of Dunbar: The Scots are defeated  
  5. ^ BBC Trust (2007-04-27). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1124 - David I becomes King of Scotland. 1296 - Battle of Dunbar: The Scots are defeated "BBC Trust Approves "Freesat"". Press release. A news release, media release, press release or press statement is a written or recorded Communication directed at members of the News Retrieved on 2008-04-27. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1124 - David I becomes King of Scotland. 1296 - Battle of Dunbar: The Scots are defeated
  6. ^ "Freesat confirms launch date as May 6", Digital Spy, 2008-04-30. Digital Spy (or DS as it is often known by its users is a British Entertainment and Media website noted for its extensive Big Brother coverage and forums 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 313 - Roman emperor Licinius unifies the entire Eastern Roman Empire under his rule Retrieved on 2008-05-03. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1491 - Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries adopting the baptismal name of João  
  7. ^ "Free satellite TV service begins", BBC News, bbc.co.uk, 2009-04-06. This article is about the year For the film see 2009 Lost Memories. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats Caecilius Metellus Scipio and Marcus Porcius Cato in the Battle of Thapsus Retrieved on 2008-05-07. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 558 - In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses  
  8. ^ "Freeview to get HD TV from 2009", BBC News, bbc.co.uk, 2008-04-03. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1043 - Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. Retrieved on 2008-05-07. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 558 - In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses  
  9. ^ freesat - What's On. Retrieved on 2008-05-07. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 558 - In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses
  10. ^ "In full: Freesat channels at launch", Digital Spy, 2008-05-06. Digital Spy (or DS as it is often known by its users is a British Entertainment and Media website noted for its extensive Big Brother coverage and forums 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. Retrieved on 2008-05-07. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 558 - In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses  
  11. ^ Freesat plans 30 new channels a month. Broadband TV News (2008-05-06). 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. Retrieved on 2008-05-07. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 558 - In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses
  12. ^ Freesat consumer brochure – May 2008 (PDF). freesat. co. uk. Retrieved on 2008-05-07. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 558 - In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses
  13. ^ Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (2008-03-17). 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 45 BC - In his last victory Julius Caesar defeats the Pompeian forces of Titus Labienus and Pompey the Younger "Diaspora TV to be on air by next St. Patrick's Day". Press release. A news release, media release, press release or press statement is a written or recorded Communication directed at members of the News
  14. ^ Confirmed: ITV HD is Freesat exclusive. Digitalspy (2008-05-06). 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. Retrieved on 2008-05-06. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance.
  15. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/consult/gaelic_digital_service/final_conclusions.pdf
  16. ^ That is boxes designed for the freesat platform; but anyone can make a free-to-air receiver
  17. ^ West, Dave (2008-04-15). 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English Humax claims lead on high def Freesat box. Digital Spy. Digital Spy (or DS as it is often known by its users is a British Entertainment and Media website noted for its extensive Big Brother coverage and forums Retrieved on 2008-04-27. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1124 - David I becomes King of Scotland. 1296 - Battle of Dunbar: The Scots are defeated

External links

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