Join Freesat

It still amazes us that neither BBC/ITV, nor their official website have yet given any annoucement of the launch date of their new freesat service. It amazes us further that there has been so far no advertisements, no marketing or television coverage to speak of. Considering we are now 2 weeks away from the expected official launch, it does make you wonder.

Anyway, to help you, we thought we’d give you all the information we have on where and when you can buy, to help you plan for launch. We have touched on this in a number of blogs, but thought it wise to bring it all togeather:

28th April 2008 – Grundig HD Receiver (GUFSATHD) available for delivery from Comet online at £149.99 (pre-orders now being taken)

3rd May 2008 – Grundig STD Receiver (GUFSAT01) available for delivery from Comet online at £49.99 (pre-orders now being taken)

6th May 2008 – Humax HD Receiver (FOXSAT-HD) available for delivery from John Lewis online at £149 (no sign of product available on site yet)

We are also expecting that those looking for dish installation will be able to order from 6th May 2008, but no sooner. We have no news on when these receivers will be available in store, suggestions to us are that they might be available at the same time as online, but others beleive 6th May 2008 at the earliest!

Our advice is that if you want a receiver from the very start, buy online now and get the very first batch available.

Sorry for the lack of updates, but not much is being ‘leaked’ by the BBC or ITV at this time. We have however noticed a discussion taking place on Digital Spy which has some information worth sharing, although it might just be pure speculation, but certainly generates a good talking point!

According to the information supplied, the retailers for the freesat product will be:

Phase 1 – Argos, DSG (Curry’s), Comet, John Lewis
Phase 2 – CIH Euronics, M & S, Tesco
Phase 3 – non-Euronics independents in 2009

From previous reports we beleive Phase 1 will cover 6 months from launch, followed by a further 6 months for Phase 2, then a free-for-all in Phase 3. We have been told of retailers trying to obtain the rights to sell that BBC are not yet considering ‘general’ retailers, just those already hand selected!

The target prices, which were discussed in a recent meeting suggest:

Freesat non-HD (box only) £35
Freesat HD (box only) £99
Freesat HD PVR (box only) £149

Note the absense of a non-HD PVR? As suspected its unlikely they will make one, expecting those wanting to record to pay up for the HD version.

Should you require installation, its hoped to cost around £50, which when you do the sums, is a great deal for a full setup, no matter which digital receiver you pick. We had concerns that the prices would not compete with existing Sky deals, but fortunatly it looks like if they meet these targets, they will, good news.

According to this BBC website link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7202367.stm), its suggesting that the price of freesat will start at £180, so how much truth is in that price? I think its fairly accurate, considering you are paying for a receiver and installation, but what about the competition (ahem, sky!), well they offer a similar package already for £150, called freesatfromsky (how apt!), so surely freesat are going to have to compete, if it is in fact just for a standard receiver and nothing more!