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1 Added – 515 Vintage TV
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Freesat, the free-to-air satellite television service, is delighted to announce the launch of Vintage TV; a ground-breaking new channel dedicated exclusively to the music, culture and fashions of the five vintage decades from 1940 to 1989.

Vintage TV brings viewers a blast from the past with a cutting edge. Its eclectic mix of music, classic and original programming and must-watch shows includes Me and Mrs Jones, a new take on the talk-show format fronted by veteran rock journalist Lesley-Ann Jones. The channel also offers unique access to some incredible archive footage licensed from the BBC and Getty Images, to bring the ‘Golden Age’ back to life. This archive footage and imagery will be incorporated into 500 brand-new music videos for songs which were recorded prior to the arrival of the video era. An impressive line-up of famous faces will front the channel, led by legendary broadcaster and music expert Paul Gambaccini. He is joined by David ‘Kid’ Jensen, YES keyboardist Rick Wakeman and Eighties pop singer Kim Wilde, as well as by Tony Blackburn and David Hamilton.

Mark Briggs, Freesat’s Head of Channels, said;

We are really excited to be launching Vintage TV on Freesat. This brand new channel reaches out to the ever-growing over-fifties audience. With the current renaissance in classic trends and styles of the past, Vintage TV’s eclectic mix of music, timeless television shows and iconic presenters is sure to be a big hit with Freesat viewers. Vintage TV is another great addition to our broad and burgeoning selection of over 140 channels and yet again increases the range of quality and choice available to Freesat customers.

In the run-up to its launch, Vintage TV has also conducted a public vote to select the first song to be played on the channel, with proceeds donated to music charity Nordoff Robbins. Tune in to Freesat channel 515 at 6pm on 1st September to hear the winning track.

David Pick, former EMI executive and founder of Vintage TV said;

We are thrilled to be bringing our programming to Freesat’s loyal viewers and feel confident that our channel will soon prove to be the Number One destination for those seeking all things vintage. Our content has been created using the latest tapeless technology. There is consequently a wonderful back-to-the-future quality and feel to our programming which gives it a fresh, contemporary style. The music we celebrate, from the fifty-year so-called ‘Golden Age’, was never intended to be here-today, gone-tomorrow entertainment. Such music was crafted by some of the most legendary artists in history, and was made to last. Their recordings have stood the test of time because people all over the world still want to listen to them. They also set the impressively high standards for music being created today. Thanks to Vintage TV, viewers will now be able to enjoy all the visual memories too. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial association with Freesat.

Vintage TV will be added automatically to customers’ Freesat service via their TVs or digital boxes. Viewers need do nothing but sit back, relax and enjoy this exciting new addition to their channel line-up.

Vintage TV will be available on Freesat channel 515 from 1st September.

Panasonic appear to have quietly (until now!) released a software update for their 2009 Freesat built-in televisions (V10/G15) that open up a working version of BBC iPlayer.

The update isn’t available via the normal Freesat route (satellite signal download), but instead through the VieraCast facility available on all these models.

To update, connect your television to your broadband router (network cable), then access by pressing the VieraCast function button on your remote which should prompt you to update the software; click ‘yes’ and the software will download via your internet connection.

Hey-presto, you should now be on version 2.303 and have iPlayer via the ‘red button’ on BBC1.

Thanks Nigel and a few other joinfreesat followers for the heads up on this one.

Following on from our previous post regarding the lack of BBC iPlayer on LG televisions with Freesat built-in, it would seem that LG are now offering customers of the LG LF7700 television a free Freesat digital box, so that they can receive iPlayer.

This would strongly suggest that LG have no plans to make iPlayer available on their now discontinued LF7700 range, choosing to supply all customers who ask with a separate receiver; maybe it is cheaper to buy receivers than develop their software for iPlayer, or they simply cannot get it to work; either way, this does seem an acceptance of blame which they have denied for so long.

So, if you have an LG LF7700 LCD television with Freesat built-in, contact LG on 0844 847 5454 (01753 491300) for further information. If LG agree to supply you with a receiver, they’ll need a few details from you including your original purchase invoice.

Please do let us know what they say to you, what brand they offer, and when/if it arrives.

Below is a copy of the communication received by MCMLXXIII and Phil, joinfreesat readers just in case you need to back up your phone call:

Thank you for your email.

There are technical difficulties in ensuring that the LG Freesat TV is fully compatible with the BBC iPlayer. As a gesture of goodwill LG will provide a set top box to enable your LG Freesat TV to work with both the BBC iPlayer and ITV Player

We require contact details (if not already provided), the serial number and a copy of the proof of purchase in order to process the claim, once received the Freesat box will be delivered within 7-14 days. Please call our Customer Service Team on the below number with these details.

Best Regards,

LG Electronics UK Helpdesk

There has been quite a mix of reports coming from our readers over the past few months regarding LG and their plans to launch BBC iPlayer on their range of Freesat enabled televisions.

From the email communication below between a joinfreesat reader (Stewart B) and LG, it doesn’t seem that LG even have an agreement in place yet, let alone are working on the software for a launch any time soon.

In our opinion, we have to question the likelyhood of this ever happening, especially as LG have now dropped the Freesat range, but hopefully we are proven wrong and Freesat/BBC put pressure on LG to introduce the on-demand service across their Freesat range, so all those customers who purchased can enjoy the same facilities as the rest.

Here is Stewart B’s email to LG;

…having made enquiries of you before, and having been advised that BBC iPlayer for Freesat would be available in July, this has obviously not happened. I purchased plug in ethernet adaptors to allow this to function and now find them redundant.

Can you advise, once and for all, whether your company has now abandoned a whole cohort of your customers by deciding not to proceed with this, or when (with accurate indication please!) it will happen. It is now very frustrating to see a red button EVERY time I click on a BBC channel saying “get BBC iPlayer” when I cannot do so despite previous assurances that my equipment would do so.

If you cannot give me these assurances please give me the name of the senior manager in your department or the department responsible for this decision in order that I can write to them to formally complain and request some form of compensation. thank you…

The response from LG’s UK helpdesk is;

The software for iPlayer is released by the BBC. As of yet there has not been a deal reached between BBC and LG to allow software for iPlayer to be added to LG televisions. As soon as a deal has been reached, the expected released date will be broadcast to the public via our website. This is as much information as we have regarding this matter at the present time.

We are also not aware that this unit was ever advertised by LG as having BBC iPlayer on it, nor that it would ever be available on the set. If you have evidence that says BBC iPlayer was going to be added to this particular unit please forward it to us so that we can investigate this matter further.

To reiterate as of yet there has been no deal reached between LG and BBC to enable LG to add iPlayer to their televisions, as soon as there is any news on this it will be available on our website.

For more information please visit the following link:
http://www.freesat.co.uk/index.php?page=iPlayer.WhatYouNeedProduct

We would advise you to put your concerns in writing to:

LG Customer Services,
PO Box 645,
Huntingdon,
PE29 6YU.

This is the only way to pursue an issue that falls outside of procedure.

Best Regards,

LG Electronics UK Helpdesk

If we get any further response from LG, or from Freesat/BBC, we’ll add to the post.

ITV have confirmed plans to launch their on-demand ITV Player service on Freesat this Autumn.

The player, which allows you to catch up on ITV programmes, will be rolled out across all Freesat HD receivers via a software update; though it is expected that a beta test will take place on select brands first to ensure reliability.

ITV Player, which is funded by advertising revenue will also be made available on the Sony Playstation 3 by the end of the year, to sit along side the already available BBC iPlayer.

Latest update scan on all Freesat receivers

3 Added – 694 God Channel, 732 Smooth Radio, 807 JewelleryMaker
0 Removed
2 Changed – tbc

Global network GOD TV has today announced its launch of the GOD Channel on free-to-air digital satellite service Freesat.

The GOD Channel’s 24-hour line-up of exclusive Christian programming, now available on Freesat channel 694, caters for the whole family and includes many premier LIVE events from the UK and around the world. GOD TV was established by Rory & Wendy Alec in London in 1995 as Europe’s first daily Christian network. It has grown exponentially in the past 15 years to become the leading faith-based channel in the UK.

The launch of the GOD Channel on Freesat increases GOD TV’s reach to 14 million homes, boosting its national distribution by between 8 and 10%. It also increases GOD TV’s potential viewing audience of nearly half a billion people worldwide.

Rory Alec, GOD TV CEO said;

GOD TV is committed to providing British viewers with the highest standard of Christian programming,

Freesat will enable more viewers in the UK to experience our unique schedule, with the added bonus that it has no subscription fee or monthly bills.

As the UK’s only faith-based broadcaster with a global presence, GOD TV continues to break new ground for the Christian media in Britain and around the world. It is also the only Christian network to transmit from Jerusalem, the birthplace of Christianity. The GOD Channel is time-shifted for different regions and beamed worldwide from GOD TV’s global transmission centre in Israel.

Freesat, the free-to-air digital satellite TV service, today announced the addition of Smooth Radio to its channel line-up of more than 140 channels. Smooth is enjoyed by 2.8 million adults every week, who tune in for its distinctive soulful sounds and eclectic mix of artists and songs.

Freesat’s Head of Channels, Mark Briggs said;

We’re delighted to bring Smooth Radio to Freesat’s radio genre, it’s a great addition to our existing music and radio offering as we continue broadening the range of quality entertainment available to our audience. Especially as Smooth Radio is soon to be a national station.

Stuart Taylor, Chief Executive of Smooth Radio parent company, GMG Radio said;

The availability of different platforms on which listeners are enjoying Smooth Radio continues to grow and this partnership with Freesat further extends that. We are delighted that more than a million people and growing, will now be able to listen via Freesat’s digital television service.

Smooth Radio will be automatically added to customers Freesat service via their TVs or digital boxes, so viewers will not need to take any action to enjoy the new addition to their channel line-up.

With the announcement made today that ITV intend on launching their ITV2, 3 and 4 high-definition service on Sky only, you’ve got to question how much involvement ITV really have, or want, in this Freesat joint venture agreement with BBC.

Many of you will be aware that ITV have been close to financial ruin in recent years, with a £105mil loss last year alone, so you can excuse them a little for wanting to take the option which will see the biggest return, but judging by the number of emails we’ve received today, this is seen as a clear sign that ITV are turning their back on free-to-air (FTA) satellite television and as such, their own joint venture platform.

ITV have said that whilst they plan to offer ITV2 HD, ITV3 HD and ITV4 HD as part of Sky’s HD pack (£10 per month on top of £18-£48 per month), their standard-definition versions will continue to be available FTA, along with ITV1 (SD) and ITV1 HD.

If you’ve not read the full story, it is availale on the BBC News website here.

What are your thoughts on the news, do you see this as a kick in the teeth for Freesat, or that ITV’s programming is so poor in terms of content and quality that this makes no difference to you other than the obvious additional exposure for Freesat. One things for sure, the team at Freesat are no doubt unhappy with this announcement!

On better news (depending how you look at it), ITV do intend on launching ITV1+1 at the beginning of 2011, and this should be FTA.