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Free UK channels for everyone in Ireland??

  • 02-03-2007 9:46am
    #1
    Plain Language
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10 ✭


    The BBC trust has given its provisional approval to the launch of the ‘Freesat’ digital satellite platform. It is envisaged that the project would be jointly operated with ITV and Channel 4, both of which are now partners in the Freeview DTT platform. BSkyB already operates a subscription free satellite platform under the freesatfromsky brand that charges viewers a one-off installation fee of £150. It is likely that the BBC version would use the MHEG-5 middleware already adopted by the Freeview platform rather than the proprietary Open TV. The actual channel line-up is likely to mirror the 120 channels that broadcast in-the-clear on the Sky platform. The Trust has now opened a 28-day public consultation period ahead of a final decision in April 2007


Comments

  • #2
    DMC
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,726 ✭✭✭✭DMC


    Ahead of you there, mate...
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055057619


  • #3
    Plain Language
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10 ✭Plain Language


    Oooops, yes you were by a long way. Must read more before posting! But I would still like to see more discussion about what this means for the Irish viewer. Free multiple UK channels for any Irish based viewer that gets hold of the appropriate box and dish?? Anyone can but a Freeview box so will everyone be able to buy UK freesat boxes and watch for free or will there be some card barrier to be overcome?


  • #4
    DMC
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,726 ✭✭✭✭DMC


    BBC and ITV are free-to-air, they have been since 2003 and 2005 respectively. Any FTA satellite receiver will allow you to watch all the BBC and ITV channels (check the sticky here)

    Freesat will be basically bring a coherent, consumer friendly package and also market satellite TV as "not just Sky". To do this, they need Channel 4 and five on board, and offer it as the satellite version of Freeview for DTT.


  • #5
    Plain Language
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10 ✭Plain Language


    It is already been marketed as the satellite version of Freeview designed to smooth the UK digital switchover and bring digital TV to the 25% of UK viewers who can not receive DTT signals. I am sure C4 and C5 will soon be part of this.


  • #6
    DMC
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,726 ✭✭✭✭DMC


    Ah, the key here is its being proposed as the satellite version of Freeview, it hasn't been marketed yet, like the Freeview brand has been. Its early days (again) for the Freesat consortium, its only got its backing from the new BBC Trust.

    It has to be consumer friendly for it to be a success. A lot of FTA receivers are still not too consumer friendly. Sky and NTL's EPG and software, while some may knock them, are easy to operate. Freesat has to achieve that left of user interface which the FTA receiver on the market doesn't.


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