The BBC has been given approval by the BBC Trust to launch a UK free-to-view satellite proposition, currently known as Freesat, as a joint venture with ITV.

Freesat will provide around 200 standard and high-definition channels, available without subscription across UK, aiming to launch in the spring of 2008.

The service is seen as an alternative to the U.K.’s Freeview, which offers free programming to homes via off-air antennas. However, many British residents can not get Freeview due to a lack of signal strength.

BBC Director-General, Mark Thompson, said: “The BBC’s objective in launching Freesat is to support digital switchover by providing another way for license payers to receive digital television channels and radio services, subscription free from the BBC and ITV.

“Its primary purpose is to drive digital take-up in analogue homes, particularly in those areas which are out of digital terrestrial coverage.

“Freesat also offers a trusted free-to-view digital upgrade path that gives license payers all the benefits of digital television – notably high definition capability – guaranteed free of subscription.”

ITV Executive Chairman, Michael Grade, said: “Freesat will build on the success of Freeview by offering viewers a simple and cost effective way of upgrading to digital TV. By filling in the current gaps in Freeview coverage, Freesat will ensure that a free-to-air, no strings attached option for accessing digital TV is available to the whole of the UK ahead of digital switchover.

“By offering HD capability we will future proof Freesat if, as expected, high definition television continues to capture the imagination of UK viewers.”

The BBC and ITV have been working with selected manufacturers, retailers and installers to develop an innovative consumer proposition.

The proposal for a nationally available free satellite platform offered by the BBC working with other public service broadcasters was supported in the Government’s White Paper on the BBC Charter.

It said: “The Government is keen to ensure that consumers have as wide a choice as possible of how they get digital TV. We welcome the plans being developed by the BBC and ITV for a free-to-view satellite service alongside Sky’s offering and we hope that the other public service broadcasters will join them in this endeavor. This promises to enhance further both consumer choice and competition in the television market.”

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Entry was posted on Friday, April 27th, 2007 at 11:43 pm under Technology.

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