Digital 4 Free

Back in September, we heard rumours that Five would be joining Freesat very soon.

We can now confirm that Five will go live on the Freesat service in just a couple of weeks, on November 18th.

Five will automatically be added to all Freesat digital boxes (or integrated TVs) to channel 105, viewers need take no action to access the channel on November 18th.

Five’s Charles Constable, said

I am delighted that Five will be available to Freesat viewers. Our launch will support three of Five’s objectives: to be universally available throughout the UK, to let viewers watch our programmes on the platform of their choice, and to enable as many people as possible to watch Five free of charge.

Emma Scott from Freesat adds:

We’ve been looking forward to welcoming Five onto Freesat since we launched - and we know viewers have too. Five is a fantastic addition and we’re thrilled that the large number of homes that have already chosen Freesat will now be able to enjoy Five alongside around 140 other channels available without a subscription or contract.

written by Andrew \\ tags: Five, Freesat

Freesat have confirmed that their PVR/Digital Television Recorder named “Freesat+” will be launched in November.

A Humax Freesat+ device has been announced that features a whopping 320GB hard drive which can store up to 80 hours of HD programming, or up to 200 hours of standard definition shows, while the eight day on-screen electronic programme guide makes it easy to scan the Freesat TV schedule and plan your viewing.

The Humax FOXSAT-HDR also has twin Freesat HD tuners which enables you to record one channel whilst watching another. The box will be available Mid-November, and retail around £299. For more information, please look at Humax’s Freesat website.

Freesat also confirmed that it will be “increasing its number of manufacturers and retailers”, and of course it will be “launching more exciting new channels and services every month”.

written by Andrew \\ tags: Freesat, Freesat Plus, HD, HDTV, Humax, PVR, Twin Tuner

It has been well known that the Five channel was not able to launch on freeview due to programming rights issues, and possibly being “locked into” a contract with Sky.

Although it has only been available through Terrestrial TV, Freeview and Sky, the official Freesat website has always stated that it would be joining Freesat at some time in 2008.

It is rumoured that Five, Fiver and Five US will all be joining Freesat in 2008.

We will update you when we know more.

written by Andrew \\ tags: Five, Five US, Fiver, Freesat

Freesat, today announced the addition of six new radio and television channels launching this Friday, the 5th September.

The newest additions to the Freesat roster particularly strengthen the platform’s radio line-up, including from the Republic of Ireland RTE’s Radio 1, RTE 2fm, RTE lyric fm and RTE Raidio na Gaeltachta.  This means that RTE Radio 1 is broadcasting for the GAA All Ireland Hurling Final this weekend, and the All Ireland Football Final on 21 September.

Also new to the platform are the three time-delayed services from Channel 4, including Film4 + 1, More4 + 1, and E4 + 1. All channels will show identical programming to the originals, but time-delayed by one hour.

The Channel 4+1 stations are already free-to-air and will join Freesat at a later date.

All channels and variants will automatically be added to the set-top boxes, so viewers will not need to take any action to view the new services.

Continue reading »

written by Andrew \\ tags: +1, e4, film four, four, Freesat, plus one, radio stations

Freesat has announced that they are adding another 18 channels on the free-to-watch high-definition platform in the next few weeks.

The first set of channels, launching Thursday 24 July, features a range of entertainment, news, shopping and gaming channels including:

• Zone Horror (136)
• Zone Reality (138)
• Russia Today (206)
• The Fight Network (251)
• Inspiration (960)
• PitchWorld (804)
• Gems TV (805)
• Shop on TV (807)
• Netplay TV (851)
• Gala TV (861)

The second set, to launch Friday 1 August, consists of popular radio stations, including:

• Capital Radio (719)
• Choice FM (720)
• Classic fm (721)
• XFM (723)
• Gold (722)
• NME Radio (newly launched, 727)
• Insight Radio (777)
• BFBS Radio (786)

Emma Scott of Freesat’s MD said of the new channels:

Following last week’s launch of BBC and ITV regional variants, these new TV and radio channels further enhance Freesat’s offering and provide extra choice to viewers and listeners. This is great news for Freesat customers and something we will continue to do this year and beyond.

written by Andrew \\ tags: channels, Freesat, new channels, radio channels