Freesat launches
06/05/2008
Freesat, the new, free, digital satellite television service launches today, Tuesday 6 May 2008. Freesat is a joint venture between the BBC and ITV.
Reaching almost all of the UK (98% of households), Freesat has over 80 free digital channels – television, radio, interactive – plus high definition (HD) services from the BBC and ITV. Freesat has no subscription and no contract - all that is required to receive it is a one-off payment for equipment. Freesat’s channel line-up will grow each month, with up to 200 channels on air by the end of the year.
Emma Scott, Managing Director, Freesat said: “Today is a landmark day for digital TV in the UK – the launch of a new digital satellite service which brings free HD programmes to everyone. With more than 9.6 million HD-ready televisions already sold in the UK, but only a tiny fraction of those who own them currently able to receive HD programmes, there’s a big opportunity for Freesat to lead the way in introducing the UK to high definition viewing.”
Freesat’s initial channel line-up includes some of the most popular digital TV channels: BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three and BBC Four; ITV1, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4; Channel 4, E4, More4 and Film4; news channels BBC News and Al-Jazeera English; children’s channels CBBC, CBeebies and CiTV; music channels Chartshow TV and The Vault; interactivity from BBCi; digital radio; and the superlative picture quality of BBC HD and ITV HD.
Freesat will carry the BBC HD channel from day one, with ITV HD launching exclusively on Freesat soon afterwards.
Michael Grade, Executive Chairman, ITV plc said: “The launch of Freesat is the final piece in the digital jigsaw and will ensure that all viewers in the UK have access to free-to-air digital and high definition television. We will launch our HD service with an unrivalled line up of premium football including the FA Cup, England internationals and UEFA Champions League from next season. Now everyone in the UK can experience the benefits of digital television: more choice of channels, interactivity and the extraordinary picture quality of HD.”
Mark Thompson, Director-General, BBC said: "With the launch of Freesat, all the BBC's digital channels, including BBC HD, will now be available to all licence fee payers wherever they live and however they choose to access them. This means they will have yet another way to watch a fantastic range of BBC output, from landmark dramas and world class documentaries to national events and live sport."
For further information please contact Borkowski on 020 7404 3000 or:
• Jackie Antas, jackie@borkowski.co.uk, 07920 092028
• Alex Wilkinson, alex@borkowski.co.uk, 07917 167783
• Jessica Turner, jessica@borkowski.co.uk, 07866 800161
• Janet Morrow, janet.morrow@freesat.co.uk, 07966 313693