VIDEO: Freesat launch

Details direct from the London launch

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7 May 2008 19:45 GMT / By Katie Scott

At the London launch of Freesat, the BBC and ITV's joint satellite TV offering that was launched today, the emphasis really was on the fact that no subscription or contract are required.

However the Freesat execs, and reps from Panasonic (which has integrated the service into three new televisions) implied that there's more to come from Freesat.

At the moment, for example, there are 80 channels on offer through the service but ITV HD is coming soon (no date I'm afraid but it will be exclusive on Freesat).

In fact, the Freesat team says that there will be around 200 channels by the end of 2008.

The initial line-up includes BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three and BBC Four; ITV1, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4; Channel 4, E4, More4 and Film4; news channels BBC News and Al-Jazeera English; a host of children's and music channels as well as digital radio stations.

Channel 4 HD is currently only available to Sky subscribers, but there were hints that the Freesat team may be fighting hard to bring the channel to their platform.

Freesat users may also be able to stream IPTV services through their set top box at some point soon, as Emma Scott, MD of Freesat, said that the company is already holding talks about the BBC iPlayer and Kangeroo player.

Panasonic explained how all of the boxes, HD and standard definition offerings alike, have an Ethernet port.

And there are also plans for digital TV recorders.

But more products - whether integrated TVs or set top boxes - may follow from other manufacturers and will be sold at a wider array of shops with the Freesat team promising announcements some time soon.

Currently, boxes are made by Goodmans, Bush, Grundig (the Alba Group) and Humax.

Box prices start at £49, with a high definition box available from £120, plus installation costs from around £80 (installation includes the satellite dish).