Freesat

Freesat

Type	Digital satellite television provider Joint venture between BBC & ITV plc
Founded	16 May 2007
Headquarters	UK
Industry	Media
Owner(s)	BBC and ITV plc
Website	http://www.freesat.co.uk/

Freesat is a free-to-air digital satellite television joint venture between the BBC and ITV plc, serving the United Kingdom.^[1] The service was marketed from 6 May 2008 and offers a satellite alternative to the Freeview service on digital terrestrial television, with a selection of channels available without subscription for users purchasing a receiver. The service also makes use of the additional capacity available on digital satellite broadcasting to offer a selection of high-definition programming from the BBC and ITV.

History

Background

The BBC and ITV, the two biggest free-to-air broadcasters in the UK, make their services available digitally through three routes: free-to-air via digital terrestrial and digital satellite, and subscription-only via digital cable.

On digital terrestrial, the channels have always been available free-to-air with the appropriate equipment. However, Freeview is currently available to only 73% of the population.^[2] After analogue TV services are replaced in the planned digital switchover, this will increase to 98.5% for the public service channels and 90% for the full 'Freeview' service. In order to provide more widespread coverage and a larger number of channels, a digital satellite alternative was felt necessary.

The digital satellite platform has largely been controlled by the commercial operator BSkyB. Initially, both the BBC's and ITV's channels were encrypted since the original Astra satellites used for Sky Digital broadcast to most of Europe but the broadcasters' rights for premium content such as films and sports typically covered the UK only.

The use of encryption meant that any viewer wishing to view the channels had to purchase equipment from Sky and pay for a free-to-view viewing card in order to decrypt the channels. Similarly, in order to use the Videoguard encryption, the broadcasters needed to pay a fee to NDS Group.

Move to free-to-air

In May 2003 the BBC moved most of its channels from the Astra 2A satellite to Astra 2D, which has a footprint that focuses more tightly on the UK.^[3] This move allowed the BBC to stop encrypting its broadcasts while continuing to meet its rights obligations. It dropped the encryption two months later.^[4]

In September 2005, the BBC and ITV announced that they would collaborate on a free-to-air satellite service to complement Freeview.^[5] Two months later, ITV, whose channels had already been located on the Astra 2D satellite since launching on the Sky Digital platform some years earlier, also made their channels free-to-air.

The free-to-air channels can be received using any standard digital satellite (DVB-S) receiver. However, the Freesat project aims to provide a more managed service with an Electronic Programme Guide and interactive features similar to the Freeview service launched three years earlier. Unlike Freeview, however, these features would only be available to approved receivers manufactured under licence from Freesat.

The initial plan was to launch the service in early 2006. This was postponed to Autumn 2007 as approval from the BBC Trust was only received in April 2007.^[6] However, the service was further delayed and was officially launched on 6 May 2008.^[7]

Freesat Firmware Updates

On Tuesday 13th October 2009, Harvard International (formerly Alba plc) who own the Bush/Goodmans/Grundig Freesat brand released an 'Over-air Download' that has caused an unknown number of boxes to fail.
The faults include inability to change channel, loss of picture and/or sound, no satellite signal, constant rebooting, to the extreme of unable to switch on at all.^[8]
As of 23 October 2009 (10 Days since update) no updated fix has been issued leaving many Freesat box owners without television.

• Humax, TechniSat, Metronic and Panasonic Freesat boxes are unaffected by this fault.
  • 26th October 2009 Harvard International released the following statement:

As a result of a recent over-the-air download to Goodmans, Grundig and Bush Freesat HD digital boxes, some boxes have experienced problems. Whilst the number affected is limited, the cause of this problem is nevertheless under urgent and active investigation by Harvard International in conjunction with its suppliers. Meanwhile, Freesat viewers who have reported this problem are each being contacted and arrangements are being made to ensure they can continue to enjoy the full Freesat service. This process is ongoing and will be completed by Sunday 25th October. This issue concerns Goodmans, Grundig and Bush Freesat HD Digital Boxes only. Freesat viewers and owners of these boxes who are experiencing this problem, and who have not already provided their details, should contact the Harvard Helpline T: 0871 230 1777. We can assure all affected customers that they will receive a satisfactory resolution based on their specific requirements. Harvard International wishes to apologise sincerely to the Freesat viewers and users of its Bush, Goodmans and Grundig Digital Boxes who have experienced this problem, and who have been inconvenienced by not being able to access the Freesat service.^[9]

Channels

See also: List of channels on Freesat

Launch channels

The service launched officially on 6 May 2008. From the launch, Freesat advertised all national television channels from BBC and ITV as being available on the platform (excluding ITV2+1), as well as all national BBC radio networks.^[10] Channel 4 also managed to make most of its channels free-to-air in preparation for the launch. In addition some channels from other broadcasters such as Chello Zone, CSC Media Group, Al Jazeera English and Euronews were included on the channel list.^[11] Channel Five and its sister channels were notably absent at launch, as were channels from BSkyB, MTV and UKTV.

High-definition

BBC HD was the only high-definition channel available on Freesat from launch day^[12], with ITV HD added as a 'red-button interactive' service from 7 June 2008. ITV HD is only available via the red button, and is still only available through the "Other Channels" menu on Sky HD.^[13][14][15]

At present, no high-definition channels are available through the terrestrial Freeview service. As part of the UK's digital switchover process, three terrestrial high-definition channels (BBC HD, ITV1 HD and Channel 4 HD) will be made available as part of an expanded Freeview HD service. These channels will be made available in most areas immediately following digital switchover, beginning with the Granada region in December 2009. In order to receive the new high-definition broadcasts, new reception equipment will be required, though this is not yet commercially available.^[16]

Freeview channels that are unavailable on Freesat

A number of channels that are available on Freeview are not available on Freesat. National Lottery Xtra and teleG (Scotland Only) currently broadcast exclusively on Freeview and are not available on any digital satellite platform. Other channels, including many of the chat channels (SmileTV2/3, Partyland) are simulcast with adult-category channels, though under different channel names and broadcast times) and a section of Big Deal is available on Freesat through a simulcast on Information TV. Virgin1, Virgin1+1, TMF, 4Music, Yesterday, Dave, Dave ja vu, Sky Sports News , Quest, Five USA*, Fiver* and Sky3* are all available on Freeview but encrypted on digital satellite, since they broadcast on the wider-beam Astra and Eurobird satellites, they would become viewable across Europe if broadcast free-to-air. Some of these channels may also have chosen to be offered as part of a pay-television package on satellite. Unless these channels also become free-to-air, they will be unavailable on Freesat. Other channels such as The Community Channel, Sky News and Rocks & Co are not scrambled, but are not available from the Freesat EPG. Free-to-air channels are not listed in the Freesat EPG automatically, and instead such channels must pay a yearly fee to Freesat. At launch, only the Humax Foxsat-HD set-top box allowed owners to access non-Freesat stations. However, the Alba group boxes (Grundig, Bush, Goodmans) can now perform this function due to an over-the-air software upgrade.

• Five USA, Fiver, and Sky3 are included on Freesat from Sky but not Freesat (from BBC and ITV)

Future channels

Freesat had said that it expected to add around 30 channels each month, with 200 channels to be available by the end of 2008^[17] and 230 by early 2009,^[18] although this target was not met. In July 2008, Freesat announced that there were a number of "exciting music and international" channels to be added in the near future, including another exclusive-to-Freesat channel, and potentially more high-definition content.^[18]

In November 2008, Irish public broadcaster Radio Telefís Éireann announced a delay in launching its new international channel RTÉ International due to financial cutbacks. RTÉ has said it hopes to launch the new channel and add it to the Freesat channel lineup by the end of 2009.^[19]

Currently, Freesat offers a lineup of 147 television and radio channels.

Reception equipment

See also: Freesat+

Receivers

Reverse of a Humax Freesat HD box

At the launch of the service, there were two types of Freesat receivers available — standard definition-only receivers and high definition-capable receivers. As of June 2008 there are only four companies licensed to produce Freesat boxes.^[20] Humax launched a Freesat recorder (Freesat+) which was available to the public on 22 November 2008. In the first months of the product being released, there were large stock shortages. However, stock is now beginning to reach high street stores.^[21]

Televisions

Following the initial launch, Panasonic introduced three plasma televisions with integrated HD Freesat receivers. At the end of October 2008, Panasonic brought out 2 more sizes which are the 32" and 37". In April 2009 LG has launched 4 lcd TVs with built-in Freesat receivers. The LG series is the LF7700, with screen sizes of 32", 37", 42"and 47". Sony have released the 58XX series, available from sizes 32" up to 52" and in 100Hz and 200Hz alternatives.

Satellite dish

The service makes use of the same fleet of satellites as the popular subscription satellite service Sky Digital: Astra and Eurobird 1. This means that any satellite dish which has been used to receive this service will be capable of receiving Freesat, with the addition of a receiver.

For users who do not currently have a satellite dish, Freesat offers an installation service which is made available through retailers and which is advertised in a leaflet included with Freesat receivers. It is also possible to buy a satellite dish and install it yourself.

Republic of Ireland

While Freesat systems work in the Republic of Ireland, until October 2008, such systems were not made available in Irish retail outlets. However on 23 October 2008, several Irish retail chains, including Maplin, Tesco Ireland and PowerCity, began offering modified Freesat systems from Grundig and Alba.^[22] The systems have all Freesat branding removed and replaced with a Sat4free brand name. The requirement to enter a UK postcode has also been removed, the systems instead set to use the version of the electronic programme guide appropriate for Northern Ireland.^[23] Other retailers like Lidl and Aldi sell Satellite kits with a Comag receiver which can receive Freesat and non-encrypted satellite TV.

Sky News has an Irish variant which is Irish focused for adverts (although it's not listed in the Freesat EPG). RTÉ Radio is broadcast without encryption, as is Newstalk via Astra.

Outside the UK and Republic of Ireland

It is possible to receive Freesat outside the UK and Ireland, although a larger dish may be required as the Astra 2D footprint is mainly focused on the UK and Republic of Ireland. Freesat receivers ask for a postcode during installation, but this is just to determine which regional services to select. Non-UK residents would be best to enter a London postcode, as the ITV HD channel is currently not made available to viewers in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In the weaker signal areas, C4 reception can be a problem, but by entering a Northern Ireland postcode into any freesat box, the strongest regional variant will be received.

Technical details

Freesat broadcasts from the same fleet of satellites (Astra 28.2°E and Eurobird 1) as Sky Digital. Channels are broadcast using DVB-S. The Freesat electronic programme guide is broadcast from the Eurobird 1 satellite situated at 28.5° east. Freesat's role is not broadcasting or availability of channels (although the BBC and ITV are substantial broadcasters in their own right) but instead providing a platform for receiving the channels and the EPG.

All the channels broadcasting to date are broadcasting using DVB-S. Standard definition channels are broadcast using MPEG-2, while high definition channels are broadcast using MPEG-4. Currently, BBC HD uses DVB-S rather than DVB-S2 since the channel shares a transponder with several SD channels. Since the channels are broadcast in-the-clear, they can also be received by non-Freesat receivers and, most commonly, Sky Digiboxes.

Interactive television is done using MHEG-5 rather than the proprietary OpenTV platform used by Sky.

The specification for Freesat boxes includes having an Ethernet socket on the back. This is to allow future on demand programmes provided by the BBC iPlayer (or a service similar to the cancelled on demand Kangaroo service) to be viewed directly on the customer's television.

Adoption

The table below shows the quarterly and cumulative sales of Freesat equipment since the inception of the service. Sales rose through the first two quarters of the service and since then have averaged around 120,000 per quarter, leading to total sales of 350,000 by the end of Q1, 2009. Of all sales, three quarters have been high definition receivers.

Alternatives

Freesat is not the only way for viewers in the UK to receive digital television without paying a subscription.

• Satellite
  • Freesat from Sky offers a non-HD proprietary Sky receiver, a viewing card and installation and enables viewing of many free-to-air and free-to-view digital satellite channels.
  • Other non-Freesat-branded DVB-S receivers can be used to view the same free-to-air digital satellite channels, although they may not allow access to extra features which are only available on the Freesat platform.
  • European and other international services provided at different satellite positions, such as Eutelsat Hot Bird, can be received in the UK using appropriate equipment.

• Terrestrial
  • Freeview is a similar service to Freesat using digital terrestrial transmission

References

External links

• Official website
• BBC News: Q&A on Freesat
• Freesat Blog
• Freesat Information & News at the Astra 2D Website
• Freesat TV Listings
• Guide to FTA channels broadcasting on Astra satellites
• Freesat channel listing, F.A.Q and hardware review
• Latest news, reviews, advice and Freesat price comparison