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.
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.
New Internet - Freeview Hybrid TV To Launch
BabelTV are due to launch their new service on the 6th November 2007, combining Freeview and Internet TV in one .
What is BabelTV?
- It is an uncomplicated device combining a Freeview set-top box, digital TV recorder and broadband connection all in one. Best summed up as a Set-Top-PC.
Who is it suitable for?
- The technological challenged to the technical but time short person, basically anyone requiring that little extra from their TV.
What does it do?
- BabelTV works as a PVR (personal video recorder) allowing you to pause and record live TV.
- Receives all Freeview channels through your TV aerial and TV programmes from the internet.
- Allows you to email and make cheap internet based phone calls.
- Records your favourite programmes and stores data such as emails and photos; even manage your iPod or mp3 player.
For more information on this exciting new service please visit BabelTV.
Setanta Sports Subscriptions
New customers to Setanta Sports will pay £9.99 per month.
Premiership football matches showing on Setanta Sports 1 Soon:
- February 2nd - Liverpool Vs Sunderland
- February 11th - Arsenal Vs Blackburn Rovers
- February 23rd - Newcastle Vs Manchester United
- February 25th - Man City Vs Everton
- March 1st - Man City Vs Wigan
Click Here To Subscribe To Setanta Sports.
There is no annual contract with Setanta Sports.
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:
Checking Your Predicted Digital TV Reception: Made Simple
Digital UK, the company responsible for ensuring the Digital Switchover runs smoothly, have launched their new Digital TV reception postcode checker.
The new and improved predicted reception checker gives you a better idea of your Digital TV reception now and after Digital Switchover: together with information on what channels you can receive, your date of switchover, local transmitter information and whether a TV aerial upgrade may be required.
The new postcode checker is also great for aerial installers and trade personel alike. Giving more in-depth information such as the future frequencies of digital multiplexes, and when frequencies may change post switchover to coincide with fringe transmitter changes.
Should adequate Freeview Reception not be attainable the site will also give you information on other TV service platforms to help you make an informed choice.
To use the postcode checker and for all the latest news on the Digital Switchover visit www.digitaluk.co.uk
Digital Uk Tv Directory
We are now launching a directory of helpful Uk Television related sites. Included will be information sites, retailers, installation companies and service providers, as time permits.
Click here to visit the Digital Television Uk directory.
If you run a website and would like it listed in the directory click on insert link at our directory page.
Subscribing to Setanta Sports
Last weekend I decided to watch the Ricky Hatton ‘v’ Jose Luis Castillo fight in Las Vagas live from my front room. At first I was going to book it via Sky Box Office at a price of £19.99 but realised Setanta Sports were showing the fight live aswell. I thought this might be as good a time as any to see first hand what Setanta Sports have to offer.
Ordering the Setanta subscription was easy and it was all completed in about 2 minutes via my Tv remote control including setting up a monthly Direct Debit.
Since watching the boxing in the early hours of last sunday morning I have watched Setanta more than I thought I ever would.
Here is a small list of sports I’ve seen on Setanta over the last week:
- Gaelic Football
- Australian Football
- Australian National Rugby
- European Friendly Football
- Motor Racing
- PGA Golf
- NASCAR
- Baseball
This is only what I’ve noticed on Setanta and they show many other sports including horse racing, athletics, cricket and starting from August they’ll have 46 live Premiership football matches.
Overall I think they’ve got a great lineup for the price.
The monthly cost of Setanta Sports is £9.99 per month on Sky and £9.99 on Freeview. Subscriptions are also available for Cable Tv viewers and even via your PC or Mac.
To find out more about Setanta Sports or to subscribe visit www.setantasports.com
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