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Updated April 2008

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INFORMATION

Freesat

from the BBC/ITV

It seems that everyone is looking forward to the proposed "Freesat" service, which promises to launch next spring. There's even a new web site to explain it all - or rather not explain it at all!

www.freesat.co.uk

The bottom line is that from March 2008 you should be able to watch "BBC Freesat" programmes, using your existing Sky dish, without paying a penny in subscriptions. Don't confuse this with Sky's "FreesatFromSky" or with terrestrial "Freeview" (for which you need a TV aerial).

There are around 200 FTA (Free To Air) channels broadcasting from Eurobird 1 and the Astra 2 satellites already. They include programmes to cover most people's interests.

The BBC's eight channels are included, as well as ITV's four stations. Channel 4 is contracted to Sky until 2008 but is then expected to join the ranks of "Freesat" with CH4, More4, E4, and Filmfour. Five is still tied to its Sky contract for another year so I guess we won't be seeing it in 2008.

For the "movie buffs" there's Movies4Men, PropellerTV, ShortsTV, Film 24, Hollywood TV, and True Movies 1 and 2. Unfortunately, Sports enthusiasts will just have to settle for Extreme Sports and the Golf Channel, unless a miracle happens (don't hold your breath).

Music fans can see over a dozen channels. "Arts" programmes include Performance and its sister channel, Mainstreet, There's news in English (and other languages) from a worldwide perspective - pick France 24, CNN International, or Russia Today.

The 'infotainment' channel has also come into its own on satellite, with broadcasters like Legal TV, Living in Spain TV, The Business Channel, Wine Network, the Entrepreneur Channel and Information TV.

It's not certain how many of these will choose to meet the necessary technical specs for Freesat's full programme guide, (or pay upwards of £30k to be listed) but, as the platform grows, it will be in their interest to make the extra effort for an anticipated audience of several million.

A company called Arqiva has been awarded a contract by the BBC to help bring Freesat, the free-to-air digital TV platform, to air by March 2008. Arqiva will support the creation of the new service, which will complement existing digital TV platforms, ensuring that viewers across the whole of the UK can access digital television without the need for a subscription, at and prior to "Digital Switch Over".

But even though more than 200 free-to air channels are now broadcasting at 28'E - the home of Astra 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and Eutelsat's Eurobird satellite - you still need a Sky Digibox to get an onscreen programme guide, digital text and interactive channels. And the kind of recording functions you'd want can still be found only by getting Sky+ (or Sky-HD) with a Sky subscription.

However, with Freeview on satellite you won't need a viewing card or a Sky Digibox. There will be a range of receivers to buy from different manufacturers. Like Freeview, Freesat will have an onscreen programme guide, interactive TV software, and support for digital recorders, but it will also look forward to high-definition TV.

The exact date hasn't been announced, but Freesat should be live by March 2008. Who's making the kit? So far, only Alba, Humax, Panasonic and Sagem have committed to make Freesat receivers. We can expect to see both single-tuner receivers and PVPs from the beginning. It's not known if Pace and Sony will join in and nobody seems to know nor care about Amstrad!

You should be able to use your existing Sky dish, since transmissions will be from Astra-2D. A FTA receiver will receive the Standard Definition broadcasts but without the 8 day EPG. Likewise the Sky Digibox, since the BBC Freesat consortium won't pay Sky to use its EPG, so the two EPGs will not be compatible.

So, ideally, you should buy a Freesat-ready receiver, Freesat PVR or Freesat Integrated Digital TV. These will all (hopefully) be available early in 2008.

How will the Electronic Programme Guide work? Freesat channels will broadcast now-and-next programme data in the standard FIVE format alongside their audio and video streams, but extended data for the next eight days will be sent via a dedicated transponder on Eurobird 1. Freesat receivers will switch to this channel when you access the full EPG.

BBC already broadcasts a High Definition programme so it's likely that HD Freesat receivers will be manufactured and that other HD channels will appear. Well, that's my guess, anyway. And guessing is all we can do right now, since Freesat is giving away very little. One wonders if they even know!

With thanks to Martin at satcure