Freesat Launch Gets Closer
We were told that the new Freesat Digital TV platform would be with us in Spring of this year and have yet to see any firm dates published or any advertising campaigns to start. But it looks as if it’s only round the corner.
Argos seem to be ready or nearly ready for Freesat, with Freesat receivers listed on their website but not yet available to purchase it shouldn’t be very long until the launch. Other retailers are almost definately taking stock of Freesat boxes as you read this.
Receivers at Argos vary depending on your budget and what you want from your receiver: starting at around £50 for a basic model and going up to £149 for a full High Definition model there are two box manufacturers, Bush and Grundig at Argos.co.uk
Installation looks set to be around £80 including the supply of the dish, cabling and labour.
If you’re looking to get Freesat keep your eyes and ears peeled for the start of the advertising campaign which will hopefully be with us very soon.
Visit www.freesat.co.uk or check back here for any updates as and when they happen and Argos.co.uk for to see what receivers are on offer.
Freesat has now launched - read more here
Half Price Setanta Sports Subscriptions!
This weekend will see one of the biggest boxing fights of the season exclusively live on Setanta Sports, direct from Las Vegas, USA.
Joe Calzaghe V’s Bernard Hopkins
This fight will be live on Setanta Sports at 10.30pm Saturday 19th April and is probably “One of the biggest grudge matches in history!”
This fight will be shown on Setanta Sports 1 and will be available for Freeview and Sky Setanta Subscribers.
Get half price Setanta Subscriptions
As a promotion to the fight Setanta have issued a limited period discount code giving you half price subscription’s for 3 month’s. Normal price £9.99 per month - only £5 per month with your discount code.
- Your Discount Code: 1904
Valid until midnight Friday 18th April 2008
To subscribe or for further information visit Setanta Sports here.
More upcoming fights on Setanta Sports
- 3rd May Alex Arthur V’s Joan Guzman
- 30th May Matt Skelton V’s Samil Sam
- 7th June Kelly Pavlik V’s Gary Lockett
For more information visit Setanta Sports here.
HDTV On Freeview Terrestrial Given Go-Ahead
Freeview High Definition to be available next year!
Ofcom has announced that it’s allowing high definition TV channels to be transmitted on the Freeview terrestrial TV platform next year, in 2009. The new channels, 3 in total, will be available to any viewer with adequate reception, a HD ready TV and an additional Freeview set top box or receiver. There will also be a further 4th channel available by 2012 - just in time for the Olympics.
There is only one downside to this announcement, if you can call it that, you will have to wait until conventional analogue TV is switched off/switched over to digital TV in your area. This means viewers in the Wales, Granada and Borders regions will be able to access the HD TV channels whilst those yet to be switched to digital will have to wait until their area is digital TV only.
Switchover By Region
| Border | 2008/9 |
| Granada, West Country | 2009 |
| Wales | 2009/10 |
| STV Central & North, West | 2010/11 |
| Anglia, Central, Yorkshire | 2011 |
| London, Meridian, Tyne Tees, Ulster | 2012 |
If you are unsure which TV Region you come under it is the same as your ITV regional news, and analogue ITV Teletext on page 106.
More information on when your area switches over is available at the Freeview website.
Technical insights into the new high definition channels are being kept quiet at the moment, but it looks like the current main BBC multiplex will be moved/reshuffled to make room for the new channels; and it would seem likely the BBC will have one HD channel with the other slots being offered for bidding between the regular commercial TV channels.
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