[Merged] Sky "Freesat" sub-free digital sat TV package

[kronas]

BSkyB is to offer 200 free TV and radio stations as well as interactive services as a freeview rival.

although the set top box will cost £150 and require a satellite dish to be installed, the price includes installation.

service breakdown.

115 TV channels
81 radio channels
13 interactive services
All BBC digital services
All other terrestrial channels
Sky News
Others include the God Channel, the Wrestling Channel, the Horror Channel

interesting note:

BSkyB is also developing a package of channels for high-definition TV, which is being heavily promoted in the US as the next standard TV format.

source: BBCnews

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3790127.stm

There is an article about this on The Inquirer which suggests, although I`ll admit it is a tad ambiguous, that Sky are aiming to launch an HDTV service in the UK at some point in 2006.

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=16477

[Gareth]

there are some rumours about whether Sky will charge to get the free-to-view card replaced when it runs out after 2 years... although admittedly, an expired card only stops you from watching a handful of channels such as ITV1, Channel 4 and 5.

[Matt D]

Another story on it:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/st...235251,00.html

Originally Posted by The Guardian

Sky offers free 200-channel satellite deal to fight off soaring BBC service

Matt Wells, media correspondent
Thursday June 10, 2004
The Guardian

The satellite giant BSkyB yesterday took its rivals by surprise by announcing the launch later this year of its own subscription-free digital TV package that will offer viewers 200 television and radio channels for the one-off payment of £150.
The decision amounts to a risky relaunch of the broadcaster's business strategy and is a clear attempt to fend off the threat from the BBC-backed Freeview service, which now has half as many customers as Sky.

It will give viewers reluctant to sign a subscription contract an additional multi-channel free services choice if they live in Freeview's coverage zone - and offer it for the first time to the 27% of households which cannot get the Freeview signal and have not signed up with Sky. But while Freeview is available by walking into a high street electrical store, Sky's free service - not yet named officially but known as "Freesat" - will only be available direct from the broadcaster.

(snip)

[mdean]

The only thing "new" about this is sky selling boxes at £150 to a non pay tv market.

The reason? Yes it is true that only 75% ish of the uk can get freeview, so why not introduce FREESAT.

That could have been normal non-rupert boxes, with no encryption capabilities which could have picked up the FTA channels once probs with C4 C5 and ITV were sorted it could be very attractive.

So Rupe has decided to go for the ftv market correctly thinking that people at BBC and HMG will be too thick to tell the difference between FTA and FTV

IMHO

[ian@huth]

Lidl were selling FTA satellite systems the other week for £75 but you had to install them yourself or pay someone to install it for you.

I have seen numerous ads in local papers and independant TV shops offering out of contract Sky boxes for £100 or thereabouts including installation.

There has always been a FREESAT service even before Sky came on the scene.

[madcap]

anyone have a channel list for the service yet?

[kronas]

its been launched, although i cant find any channel listing or information at all

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertain...io/3762910.stm

[Chris]

The BBC news article says it's been launched with no fanfare at all .... I'll say, I can't find a channel listing or where to buy it anywhere!

[themelon]

$$ky dont want to give you something for Free, they want you to be donating $$$$$$$$$$$$££££à ‚£Â£$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ each month to Rupeys and Rupey Juniors balance sheets.

They have just spent millions on ridiculous advertising schemes, and $KY in a box special deal remote controls in Tesco for £39.99


Even if you have a free service they have your details.............as $KY did before all the good free channels (if any) will become Pay TV and they will be on the phone trying to upgrade you to the marvellous Sky World Package!

Id say buy a second user box (about £50) and a dish and cables about £20 and do it yourself doing a proper job of the installation then buy the card from Sky............or preferably somewhere you dont need to give them you phone details.

Essentially its a pretty crap line up of free channels (look at value pack and take away Discovery Leisure, Sky Onc and you have the line up), the only benefit over freeview is the better Interactive.............the only thing thats changed is that Sky offer legal free to view cards now, whereas previously they didnt they only want those in the know to know about this else the Value Pack would be pointless, and hundreds of subscribers may decide Sky was a rip off as they only watch ITV and BBC!

[Duff_Man]

go to http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/?pID=1 for info on this service, or to purchase it.
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this site also has channel listings

[Paul]

Every time I have tried that site in the past it has timed out on me Does it work for you Duff?
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There is a list of sorts of the channels available as of last year here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/digital/channels.shtml but I'm not sure it's up top date. Mind you this thread is from last year so may have been resolved already Duff