Freesat Launched May 2008 in UK
Freesat Launched May 2008 in UK
Thompson and Grade launch Freesat (Guardian image)
Freesat was announced as early as September 2005 however its announcement of a launch in 2006 seems to have been a little premature.
Freesat's real value to ITV and the BBC is that its satellite technology will allow them to screen many more channels than the 47 currently available on Freeview, the free-to-air digital terrestrial platform.
Crucially, Freesat will also have much greater capacity for screening shows in HD. Analysts have compared the move to HD pictures with the transition from black and white to colour TV. (Daily Telegraph 05/05/08)
Channel Five is expected to join Freesat in the near future, once programming rights issues had been resolved. For now the service will features BBC, ITV and Channel 4 networks. (Guardian)
Murdoch on Murdoch (Times on Sky versus public service broadcasting)
Freesat will allow consumers to get unlimited, as well as high-definition, digital television for a one-off payment, starting at £49.99, plus an £80 installation fee.
The service will carry exclusive high-definition coverage of England’s home football games and FA Cup matches from next season — a plan that prompted immediate criticism from the satellite broadcaster Sky, which is 39.1 per cent owned by News Corporation, parent company of The Times.
Freesat, which is backed by a £6 million marketing campaign, says that it will be better than the existing Freeview service because it will provide many more channels and cover almost the whole of the country. (Times article)
Webliography
BBC Video report on the launch of Freesat
BBCs Mark Thompson upbeat as Freesat Begins
2005: Free Satellite War begins
Digital Spy article on Freesat
08 May 2008 19:28
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Tags: Digital TV Freesat Media Issues And Debates Public Service Broadcasting Satellite TV
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