Freesat Officially Launched
The all new free digital satellite TV platform has launched today - Tuesday 6th May.
Freesat is a joint operation by the BBC and ITV which will plug the gap left by Freeview by reaching an estimated 98% of households: giving you more than 80 free digital tv channels, radio stations and HDTV (high definition TV) from the BBC and ITV.
Freesat Receivers are available from:
- Argos - order online or collect instore.
- Comet - order online.
- Currys - order online.
- John Lewis - order online.
Prices vary between £50 and £149 depending on whether you’re buying a standard definition, recorder or HD Freesat box. Standard installation should be available to buy online from the above retailers at around £80.
It’s worth noting Freesat is transmit from the Astra 2 group of satellites. If you have a working Sky minidish or suitable satellite dish correctly aligned, with cabling to your Freesat box, then you shouldn’t need any installation apart from plugging in your Freesat receiver.
Visit the official Freesat website here for information regarding channel listings.
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
MTV Branded Bespoke Sky Boxes
You heard it right! MTV and Sky have joined forces to offer limited edition designer Sky Boxes.
These bespoke boxes will be on limited supply and available as part of the April Sky multi-room promotions.
More information to follow….
Latest Sky Digital Boxes And Prices
Undecided on which Sky Box is right for your viewing?
We have included a quick rundown on the main features of Sky’s current digital satellite TV boxes. Read more
New Year Sky TV Offers
Sky have announced lower prices for new customers ordering online to kick off the New Year.
- Half price standard Installation if a Premium Mix (Sports or Movies) is chosen. Installation is currently £30 and £15 will be credited to your account once activated.
- Save £50 on the Sky+ box. Sky+ is now £99 plus installation (was £149).
- Save at least £50 on Sky HD. Sky HD box is now £249 plus installation or £199 if taken with Sky broadband, Sky talk and Sky Multiroom (was £299).
Visit www.sky.com for more information on these offers.
Keeping Updated On Freesat
The new Freesat (Free Digital Satellite TV) platform is due to launch sometime in spring of 2008. With over 80 channels available to 98% of UK households it will be perfect for those who don’t want to pay any monthly subscription fees and can’t yet receive Freeview. Freesat will also have free HD channels for those viewers with High Definition TV’s.
Freesat should be available at most major high street stores such as Argos, Comet, Currys and John Lewis; and is being run on a non-profits basis by the BBC and ITV.
For more information on the service and availability as it happens visit the new Freesat website at www.freesat.co.uk
Sky Pre Christmas Multiroom Offer
Free Standard Sky Multiroom Installation
Sky are just about to launch their pre-christmas special offer for new Sky customers. From Monday 26th October all new customers taking multiroom will have Free standard installation of all equipment, opposed to the usual £30 set-up charge.
Multiroom gives you two Sky boxes of your choice so you can watch different Sky channels in separate rooms.
Subscription costs for Sky TV packages are from £16 to £45 per month, dependant on which channels you want.
Costs for the Sky Boxes are:
- Initial standard Sky box £Free
- Extra standard Sky box for £49
- Extra Sky Plus box for £99
- Extra Sky HD box for £249
This offer starts on Monday 26th October and will run until 16th December 2007.
Visit www.sky.com for more information on this offer.
Monthly subscription cost is £10 per additional box and £10 extra should you take a Sky HD subscription.
Visit here for the latest Sky Digital TV Offers
New HDTV Channels On The Horizon
With the launch of BBC Freesat due in the spring of next year it looks like we could be treated to a handful of new HDTV channels. Namely channels from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and possibly Five.
BBC HD
Sky and Virgin Media have been running the BBC HD pilot channel for over a year. The new BBC HD channel should start next year showing more of the BBC’s core programmes and will be available on Sky, Virgin Media and Freesat.
ITV1 HD
ITV1 also look set to launch it’s high definition channel on satellite in spring next year. The ITV channel will be available on both Sky and Freesat, initially airing programmes for a couple of hours at peak times.
Channel 4 HD
Channel 4 HD is firstly set to make it’s move via the 4-On-Demand feature of Virgin Media and is also due to become available on Sky and Freesat in December this year, showing the main channel 4 programmes in simulcast.
Five HD
Not a lot is known about Five’s plans for a HD channel at the moment but an interesting article from The Guardian could be taken as a hint.
To summarise it looks like HDTV channels look set to be on the increase sometime soon, could this be the start of the snowball the HD TV viewing public need?
The TV platforms:
Loading ...