UK Freesat (4 Viewers)

[Mew]

Yes, I heard that five were still tied in to a contract for encryption by Sky for some time. They may be moving transponder in anticipation of going FTA when this expires rather than the channels having to have another reshuffle between satellites.

I have read that Channel 4's encryption contact with Sky doesn't run out until October 2008, but I assume they have found some way round this if they are expecting to launch with Freesat (unless Freesat isn't launching until October, but that would be very late spring).

Mew

 

[Paranoid Delusion]

unless Freesat isn't launching until October, but that would be very late spring

LOL a possibility, never known a secret kept so well

 

[SpudR]

Then we are all back to the "wait and see" scenario
Looks like there are very few 'facts' about this - I have read that it will/wont need a CAM, will/wont be launched before summer, and might/might not contain the basic UK FTA channels (unless you count the effin licence fee )

 

[Nemulate]

I think you'll find it will be free to air, will launch in May and will only have set top boxes on launch. There is an awful lot of information (some of it crap though!) on other websites such as digital spy.

 

[SpudR]

Woo hoo!!!
The answer was 6th May!

Free satellite TV service begins

Could the Sattelite guys please do some testin' ??

 

[allanp81]

Looks like we can't easily view the ITV HD channel though without a freesat box, or somebody working out how to get it picked up.

 

[revs]

great news! I'll test it out this evening!

 

[funkstar]

Looks like they need to upgrade the hosting of freesat.co.uk, can't get it loaded here at the moment

 

[gamejester]

A bit of info here

Astra 2D Website - Sky Digital - Sky+ - Freesat - Freeview - UK TV Overseas

Would be interested in anyone who has a PC ard to test it out, especially the HD stuff, was waiting for this for my next upgrade to the TVserver.

 

[cheezey]

I'll check tonight - however there's some question over receiving ITV HD as it's transmitting in H.222 - does that mean anything to anyone?