Freesat - Free to view satellite TV
This page contains information about the free-to-view satellite TV service, which launched in May 2008
What is Freesat?
Freesat is a joint venture between the BBC and ITV. The service provides a number of TV and radio channels that you can get without subscription
Separate from Sky's satellite TV offering, Freesat launched on the 6th May 2008, with 80 channels.
Set-top boxes became available from high street retailers from May 2008, although at launch, there's been something of a shortage.
As well as a box, you'll need to have a satellite dish pointing in the general direction of the Astra satellite. Some High Definition content will be available, including the BBC and ITV HD service.
FreeSat EPG on a Humax FoxSat
What's on Freesat
An initial 80 channels of TV and radio stations, with no subscription. Channels include Channel 4, E4, More 4, ITV2, ITV3, BBC3, BBC News, CBBC and CiTV.
Five, Fiver and Five US are missing from the lineup, but are apparently expected soon. Other channels include Film 4, True Movies, Movies4Men, Euronews, Men & Motors, Wedding TV, Chart Show TV and Al-Jazeera. See the full channel list
Freesat is also offering HD content. At the moment, this is the BBC HD service, but this will soon be joined by the ITV's new HD service. Irritatingly, ITV's HD content won't be available to Sky Digital's almost half-a-million HD customers, and Channel 4 HD won't be available to Freesat customers.
| Freesat launch - Podcast coverage. Listen to our audio show for our overview of Freesat |
How to get FreeSat
To be able to watch FreeSat, you need the following:
-
A satellite dish: You need a dish pointing in the right direction. If you have an old Sky dish, this will do fine. You can install a dish yourself with a DIY kit, or go for a professional installation for £80 (order from Argos- cat no: 889/0030)
- A set-top box: FreeSat boxes are available for a one-off payment of £50 or more. We have a list of boxes below.
FreeSat Set-top boxes
Set-top boxes capable of receiving FreeSat became available in May 2008. They are available from Comet, Currys, Argos
and John
Lewis.
Note that, at launch, there are some box shortages.
Here are the main set-top boxes:
|
High-Def: No PVR: No Connectors: 2 x SCART, LNB in/Out, Ethernet £49 - from Argos |
|
High-Def: Yes PVR: No Connectors: 2 x SCART, LNB in/Out, HDMI, Ethernet £119.99 - from Argos |
|
High-Def: Yes PVR: No Connectors: 2 x SCART, HDMI, Component, USB, Ethernet Review: Click here £149.99 - from Argos |
|
High-Def: No PVR: No Connectors: 2 x SCART, LNB in/Out, Ethernet £69.99 - from Argos |
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High-Def: Yes PVR: No Connectors: 2 x SCART, LNB in/Out, HDMI, Ethernet £149.99 - from Argos |
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High-Def: No PVR: No Connectors: tbc £49.99 from Comet |
Got a question on FreeSat? Try our FAQ, or contact us |
Contacting Freesat:
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Address: 4th Floor, 58-60 Berners Street, London W1T 3NQ
-
Helpdesk: 08450 990 990
Useful Links
- More on Freesat? See our Freesat page
- Answers to common questions in our Freesat FAQ
- Freesat channel listings: Freesat channels
- Information on free satellite - See our Free Satellite page
- If your question isn't answered, please leave a message in our Freesat forum
 |
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