Freestat

[sp1214]

A new free to air TV system is being introduced using a satelite dish. Does this mean we need another dish on our walls besides our sky dish? What is the purpose of this new medium?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7384928.stm

[Ethel]

The purpose is it will provide the freeview channels nationwide to those who cannot get freeview via the aerial.

If you can get freeview through the aerial, or from Sky or Virgin you don't need this dish.

[Fay Mousse]

The purpose is to provide freeview digital tv to those who can't get it through the aerial, nor from Sky or Virgin.

If you get freeview already, or can get it through the aerial with a set top box or digital tv, you dont need it.
It's explained in the article you linked to:


Emma Scott from Freesat told BBC Radio 5Live: "It's got 98% coverage across the UK and it's only homes that really don't have a clear line of sight to the satellite that can't get it, or certain listed buildings.

"But unlike Freeview you can receive Freesat across the country, which means that in those areas that at the moment can't get access to free digital television this is the first time that you can get free digital TV."

[vehelpfulguy]

I think the main purpose of this is for BBC and ITV to try to remove or reduce the stranglehold Sky have on satelite TV in this country.

I think they are hoping people will ditch Sky to replace it with Freesat. If you have a sky dish you can use that for Freesat.

Both BBC and ITV have PAY money to Sky to get them to carry their channels on the Sky platform.

If BBC and ITV have their own platform they can reduce what they pay to Sky.

ITV have already said that their HD service will ONLY be available on this Freesat service. Maybe BBC will go the same way.

Hopefully Sky will see a dramatic reducation in their subscribers and will have to stop ripping people off and reduce their price.

[sp1214]

I was under the impression that over 95% can receive these channels already so Freestat cannot have been introduced for those odd 5%. As veryhelpful guy says there is obviously an attempt by the BBC and ITV to wrestle SKY for an identical platform. I hope they succeed as the prices charged by Sky are exhorbitant and the cost of a TV licence now seems very good value for money.