BBC iPlayer coming to Freesat

As last quarter sales of subs-free satellite TV doubled

View more images

8 January 2009 16:31 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Freesat has announced that despite difficult times on the high street, its sales have doubled in the last quarter of 2008, it also reveals the service will be getting the BBC's iPlayer catch-up programming this year.

By the end of 2008 Freesat, the UK's subscription-free satellite television service, had achieved over 200,000 sales since its launch in May 2008.

As September sales were reported as 100,000, even a primary school student should be able to work out that this means total sales of Freesat doubled in the final quarter of 2008.

Emma Scott, MD of Freesat said: "We saw consumers increasingly drawn to Freesat at the end of last 2008 and into this year. The quality and choice of channels and services available and the added benefits offered by Freesat+ have really struck a chord".

Due on Freesat in early 2009 is the Rugby 6 Nations on the BBC HD channel and the FA Cup and Champions League on ITV HD.

Emma Scott also said: "As we approach Freesat's first anniversary in May 2009, we're in an extremely strong position to build on our early successes".

"Key goals in 2009 include increasing our product range and distribution by the quality and choice of channels and services available, and the anticipated launch of IPTV services, like BBC iPlayer onto Freesat later this year".