[Julian Brown]

Until about 2 weeks ago I had the Sky version of Freesat with a £20 Sky Card. Now I have a new HD TV, a FoxSat PVR and Freesat. It's very, very good BUT:

There is not the range of channels on Freesat that there is on the Sky version, for example the "extra" Five channels (Five USA, Fiver etc.) and I quite miss Sky 3!

Does anyone know if any more channels are lined up to join Freesat?

[Starburst]

I assume your new telly has a Freeview tuner, what's the reception like since you could watch those 3 channels on DTT not satellite.

[Julian Brown]

Originally Posted by Starburst

I assume your new telly has a Freeview tuner, what's the reception like since you could watch those 3 channels on DTT not satellite.

My new TV does indeed have a Freeview tuner BUT there is absolutely no Freeview reception in my area!

P.S. What does "DTT" stand for please?

[PaddyC]

Once space has been cleared on 2D then FIVE USA and FIVER will make their way onto Freesat. Same with Channel 4 HD, although they are also waiting for contractual agreements with Sky to end before they can join. Sky 3 will probably never go on to Freesat but it is strange to think that after FIVER and FIVE USA go FTA, a FTV card will only be needed for Sky 3 and Setanta Sports News. Hardly seems worth it for £20, does it? I'm sure by that stage though either Sky 3 and Setanta Sports News will either be FTA themselves or will have moved to subscription only via satellite.

Stick with Freeview for now for FIVE USA and FIVER if you can receive it in your area, if not, you probably won't have to wait too long for them to appear on Freesat, I think Channel 4 HD is due some time this year if I'm not mistaken, although don't quote me on that...

EDIT - DTT stands for Digital Terrestrial Television.

[BrianMc]

Originally Posted by Paddy C

Once space has been cleared on 2D.......

There have been NO plausible rumours of progress in this direction! It will probably happen - but is not a certainty!

When Freesat was being planned people should have known that this problem would arise!

[ARNOLD AKIEN]

I've just noticed this announcement ....


" Freesat have announced NHK World TV as the latest channels to join Freesat’s EPG, available from tomorrow, Tuesday 21st April 2009. NHK World TV provides English language news, analysis and culture from a Japanese and Asian perspective to over 80 countries around the globe. NHK World TV is the international channel of Japan’s national broadcaster NHK.

NHK World TV will be available on channel 209, discounting the rumour that Sky News had already allocated that slot.

Emma Scott, Managing Director of Freesat commented

Freesat is committed to expanding our international news and current affairs offering and NHK World TV represents yet another high quality channel, which provides viewers with access to a high quality news service from an interesting new viewpoint.Makoto Harada, Director-General of NHK WORLD TV added

The launch on freesat will offer viewers in the UK a new way to enjoy NHK WORLD TV’s unique, alternative perspective: your eye on Asia.

This channel will automatically be added to your Freesat EPG during the course of the day. "



NHK World TV Joins Freesat | Join Freesat


I doubt that we will see a great flood of new freesat channels but rather that we can expect a steady trickle of new channels as contractual commitments to Sky and technical factors permit.

[PaddyC]

Originally Posted by BrianMc

There have been NO plausible rumours of progress in this direction!

I never said there was...

All I said was that space, or lack thereof, on Astra 2D is the only reason why channels aren't coming on to Freesat as they have to be FTA and for rights issued they need to be on Astra 2D to please the companies providing the programmes and movies the channels will show.

Surely there are channels who want to launch on Freesat but can't at the moment and are looking at finding space on 2D by buying out a small channel and using their space. The only real boost that would help is if Sky moved some of their subscription channels off 2D, but that isn't likely to ever happen unless SES Astra step in...