Freesat

Latest News

BBC explains DRM of high definition broadcasts
New Blu-ray recorders prompt copy protection change 17 April 2009 14:31 GMT
Following the UK launch of Panasonic's Freesat Blu-ray recorders, the BBC has announced changes to the DRM of its HDTV broadcast that allows a user to make one personal copy of HD content to a Blu-ray disc.

Owners of the Panasonic set-top boxes will be able...
Panasonic confirms Blu-ray recorder UK prices
DMR-BS850, DMR-BS750 and DMR-XS350 14 April 2009 16:22 GMT
We had already passed on the news that Panasonic are bringing their range of Blu-ray recorders to the UK.

Coming with a range of HDD sizes, the Freesat+ recorders will allow customers to record HD content from their satellite TV, rivalling the Sky+ HD service,...
LG launches LF7700 Freesat televisions
From 32 to 47 inches 9 April 2009 10:12 GMT
LG has joined Panasonic in offering televisions with built-in Freesat.

Freesat is the UK's free-to-air digital satellite TV broadcasting service offering some HD programming from the BBC and ITV as well as a plethora of shall we say, more niche channels.
Freesat adds CNN
And JML 19 March 2009 13:54 GMT
Freesat, the free-to-air digital satellite TV service has announced that the international news service CNN will be available to Freesat customers.

CNN International provides news and information services across world news, politics, business, sport and more...
BBC HD broadcasts increase to 9 hours a day
Full service reached 17 March 2009 14:49 GMT
The BBC has announced that its high definition broadcasts have been increased up to 9 hours a day.

The rise was scheduled for 2009, and increases from the 6.20pm to midnight that was previously broadcast.

"For the first time today outside of a...
TechniSat to make Freesat digi-boxes
Partnership with German company announced 17 February 2009 12:32 GMT
Freesat has announced a partnership with German consumer electronics company TechniSat to produce HD digital boxes this year.

The German-based TechniSat Digital Group is described as "a leading consumer electronics organisation with a strong history of producing...
6 Nations rugby free in HD with Freesat
All home matches to be broadcast 30 January 2009 12:28 GMT
Freesat is reminding rugby fans that coverage of the 6 Nations tournament home matches will be broadcast "in glorious HD" and for free on the BBC's HD channel via Freesat, the free-to-air satellite TV service.

Kicking off on Saturday 7 February, with England...
Freesat announces Bloomberg and Clubland TV
As well as time-delayed wedding channel 27 January 2009 13:29 GMT
Freesat, the UK's free-to-air digital satellite TV broadcasting has announced the launch of new stations to its service.

Bloomberg Television a financial news and information station is to launch on channel 208.

It provides news and commentary...
BBC iPlayer coming to Freesat
As last quarter sales of subs-free satellite TV doubled 8 January 2009 16:31 GMT
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...
LG to make Freesat televisions
"Further products" possible 5 January 2009 16:41 GMT
As LG announces a Netflix-enabled television in the States, here in the UK, Freesat has announced a partnership with the Korean company to produce Freesat integrated products in 2009.

The two companies have signed a deal which will see LG producing integrated...
A quick guide to HD
What, why, who, how explained 22 December 2008 15:48 GMT
What is it?
Standing for "high definition" in this scenario, it means a better picture quality in either viewing or having images being digitally transmitted to a compatible screen. Most people associate HD with flat screen TVs, either LCD or plasmas, where there are...
Credit Crunch Christmas: Freesat
Pocket-lint's Advent calendar of gift ideas: 4 days to go 22 December 2008 11:09 GMT
Today's Credit Crunch Christmas suggestion of Freesat is for those who are buying for someone trying to save some pennies, or are themselves tightening the purse strings.

There are various options available, including standard definition boxes for around £50,...
BBC reveals HD Christmas line-up
Find out what you can watch in high def this year... 1 December 2008 10:45 GMT
The BBC has been given permission to extend its HD channel's hours for the Christmas period, so from Christmas Eve to New Year's Day it will be on air from noon, until the early hours of the morning.

The programmes shown in high definition will be many of the...
Freesat+ to launch this weekend
Humax Foxsat-HDR goes on sale 21 November 2008 9:02 GMT
Humax's Freesat+ Foxsat-HDR will go on sale in the UK this weekend.

The twin tuner-equipped Humax Foxsat-HDR will be the only way to pause, rewind and record Freesat HD digital TV, as well as access SD TV, radio and interactive channels.

The PVR...
Five launches on Freesat
November debut announced 5 November 2008 9:55 GMT
Freesat, the free-to-air digital satellite TV service, has announced that Five will launch onto the platform on Tuesday 18 November.

The channel’s Autumn schedule includes: Paul Merton in India, 1968 Unseen, Dangerous Adventures for Boys, Unbreakable and Axe...
Humax Freesat Foxsat-HDR recorder announced
320GB PVR for free high def satellite viewing 23 October 2008 12:01 GMT
Humax has announced the launch of the Freesat+ Foxsat-HDR that will go on sale in the UK in November and will feature new Freeview+ type abilities.

Humax says when launched, the twin tuner Humax Foxsat-HDR will be the only way to pause, rewind and record Freesat...
Ofcom reveals official digital TV stats for Britain
Freeview in 16.7 million homes 3 October 2008 19:30 GMT
Ofcom has revealed the latest snapshot of Britain's digital TV watching statistics.

The number of UK homes tuning into digital TV via free-to-view satellite was at around 900,000.

These include customers of Sky's non-subscription services as well...
Freesat reaches 100,000 sales
Plans "plus" PVR for November 29 September 2008 9:22 GMT
Freesat, the joint venture between the BBC and ITV offering free, digital satellite television has reached 100,000 sales within 5 months of launching in May 2008.

The company says sales of high-definition Freesat boxes have been helped by a summer of major sporting...
Panasonic announces LZD81 Freesat LCD TVs
New models coming next month 22 September 2008 14:54 GMT
Panasonic has expanded its range of Viera TVs with Freesat HD built-in by adding two new full HD LCD TVs to its PZ81 plasma line up.

Freesat offers subscription free HD services with 130 digital TV and radio channels including HD programmes from the BBC and...
Freesat gets 5 more channels
Well, if you can call them channels 12 September 2008 12:22 GMT
Freesat has announced the launch of five new television channels for customers using the satellite Freeview service.

However before you get too excited, the new stations are really for niche, and we mean niche, audiences.

From 16 September customers...
Freesat gets RTE radio and time-delayed channels
More options added to free-to-air service 4 September 2008 16:03 GMT
Freesat, the free-to-air digital satellite TV service, has announced the addition of six new radio and television channels launching on Friday 5 September.

The newest additions are Irish radio stations RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2fm, RTÉ lyric fm and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta....
Freesat announces more new channels
BET, Zone Horror+1, Kix! and more shopping options 7 August 2008 14:22 GMT
Freesat, the free-to-air digital satellite TV has announced more channels to be added to the service.

Black Entertainment Television (BET UK), America’s leading provider of entertainment and public affairs programming aimed at global consumers of popular culture...
Megawhat News - Lenovo takes on the Asus Eee PC
What's hit the headlines - in a neat little vid 6 August 2008 9:18 GMT
Didn't get a chance to read all of yesterday's top stories, well, do not panic, get comfy and press play!

In today's headlines: Lenovo launches the dinky IdeaPad; Steve Jobs admits MobileMe was flawed; MySpace and The Cloud offering free Wi-Fi; iPhone software...
Freesat touts BBC HD Olympics
300 hours of high-def action 5 August 2008 12:53 GMT
As we reported yesterday with Sky's similar announcement, the 2008 Beijing Olympics will be the first ever to be broadcast in high definition.

The BBC HD channel, available on Freesat, the free-to-air satellite TV service, will be extending its regular transmission...
Humax launches new Freeview PVRs
Twin-tuner Freeview+ digital TV recorders 24 July 2008 17:24 GMT
Not one but two new Humax Freeview PVRs have launched today.

Both of the new launches are twin-tuner Freeview+ digital TV recorders (DTRs), giving access to up to 48 Freeview channels plus a host of recording features.

At the top end is the PVR-9300...