Freesat launches today
This is a press pack from Freesat, a joint venture between the 91Èȱ¬ and ITV
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Introduction
Free digital television and HD for everyone – no
subscription, no contract
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91Èȱ¬ HD available now and ITV HD to launch exclusively on
Freesat
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Freesat, the new, free, digital satellite television service
launches today, Tuesday 6 May 2008. Freesat is a joint venture
between the 91Èȱ¬ and ITV.
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Reaching almost all of the UK (98% of households), Freesat has
over 80 free digital channels – television, radio, interactive –
plus high definition (HD) services from the 91Èȱ¬ and ITV.
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Freesat
has no subscription and no contract; all that is required to
receive it is a one-off payment for equipment.
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Freesat's channel
line-up will grow each month, with up to 200 channels on air by
the end of the year.
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Emma Scott, Managing Director, Freesat, said: "Today is a landmark
day for digital TV in the UK – the launch of a new digital
satellite service which brings free HD programmes to everyone.
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"With more than 9.6 million HD-ready televisions already sold in
the UK, but only a tiny fraction of those who own them currently
able to receive HD programmes, there's a big opportunity for
Freesat to lead the way in introducing the UK to high definition
viewing."
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Freesat's initial channel line-up includes some of the most
popular digital TV channels: 91Èȱ¬ One, 91Èȱ¬ Two, 91Èȱ¬ Three and 91Èȱ¬
Four; ITV1, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4; Channel 4, E4, More4 and Film4;
news channels 91Èȱ¬ News and Al-Jazeera English; children's
channels C91Èȱ¬, CBeebies and CiTV; music channels Chartshow TV and
The Vault; interactivity from 91Èȱ¬i; digital radio; and the
superlative picture quality of 91Èȱ¬ HD and ITV HD.
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Freesat will carry the 91Èȱ¬ HD channel from day one, with ITVÌýHD
launching exclusively on Freesat soon afterwards.
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Michael Grade, Executive Chairman, ITV plc, said: "The launch of
Freesat is the final piece in the digital jigsaw and will ensure
that all viewers in the UK have access to free-to-air digital and
high definition television.
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"We will launch our HD service with an
unrivalled line-up of premium football including the FA Cup,
England internationals and UEFA Champions League from next
season.
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"Now everyone in the UK can experience the benefits of
digital television: more choice of channels, interactivity and
the extraordinary picture quality of HD."
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Mark Thompson, Director-General, 91Èȱ¬, said: "With the launch of
Freesat, all the 91Èȱ¬'s digital channels, including 91Èȱ¬ÌýHD, will
now be available to all licence fee payers wherever they live and
however they choose to access them.
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"This means they will have
yet another way to watch a fantastic range of 91Èȱ¬ output, from
landmark dramas and world-class documentaries to national events
and live sport."
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Freesat equipment
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Freesat will have three different types of receiver: a standard
definition box, an HD box and an HD integrated digital TV with
Freesat built-in (IDTV).
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Boxes are made by Goodmans, Bush,
Grundig (the Alba Group) and Humax. The IDTV is made by
Panasonic and will be available in June.
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Box prices will start from £49, with a high definition box
available from £120, plus installation costs from around £80.
(Installation includes the satellite dish).
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Later this summer Alba and Humax digital television recorders
will also be available so viewers can record, pause, rewind and
fast forward their favourite TV programmes.
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Freesat has its own seven-day on-screen electronic programme
guide (EPG) and a channel guide so that viewers can easily find
the programmes they want.
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Where to get Freesat equipment and installation
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Freesat is available in shops and online from major high street
outlets Argos, Comet, Currys and John Lewis, plus some
independent retailers.
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Retailers sell equipment and can also
arrange installation by approved installers.
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Freesat consumer support
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The Freesat website, at www.freesat.co.uk, has full information
about the new service and how to get it.
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There is also a Freesat
call centre on 08450 990 990.
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