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Freesat - Free to View Satellite TV
Information about the subscription-free satellite TV service that 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, and offers over 130 TV channels.
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
Around 130 channels of TV and 30 radio stations, with no subscription. Channels include Channel 4, E4, More 4, Five, ITV2, ITV3, BBC3, BBC News, CBBC and CiTV.
Other channels include Film 4, True Movies, Movies4Men, Euronews, Men & Motors, Wedding TV, Chart Show TV and Al-Jazeera. See the full channel list
HD: Freesat is also offering HD content. At launch, it was only the BBC HD service, but ITV's HD service launched in June 2008 (via the red button). Irritatingly, ITV's HD content won't be available to Sky Digital's almost half-a-million HD customers, and Channel 4 HD isn't currently available to Freesat customers.
  PODCAST FEATURE: We looked at Freesat in show 27. Listen to the show online, or download it to your MP3 player. Listen to Show 27 | What is FrequencyCast? | Add us to iTunes |
How to get Freesat
To be able to watch Freesat, you need the following:
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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 Currys or
Argos(cat no: 527/0086)
- 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
We have a page listing the available Freesat satellite receiver boxes - See our Freesat boxes section.
Here are the Freesat boxes we recommend:
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Basic Freesat receiver. Doesn't support High Definition - No built-in recorder Connectors: 2 x SCART, LNB in/Out, Ethernet £30 - from Argos |
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Supports High Definition Freesat channels. No built-in recorder Connectors: 2 x SCART, HDMI, Component, USB, Ethernet Review: Humax Foxsat Review
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Supports High Definition Freesat and can record 200 hours of Freesat
Connectors: 2 x SCART, HDMI More on our Humax Foxsat HDR page Available for £255.82 from Laskys |
Got a question on Freesat? First, try our Freesat FAQ. |
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
The FrequencyCast podcast features digital TV news and reviews. Listen to our free shows online or download to your MP3 player What is FrequencyCast? | Get us via iTunes | Catch our Latest Show |
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