Comments on: Freesat’s Emma Scott Wins Media Award

By: John Clark

John Clark — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:08:30 +0000

@ John_M

Here Here!!!!

By: Denis

Denis — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:32:04 +0000

John M – I can see exactly where your comming from and understand the points your are making. It really depends whether the service has delivered what you wanted from it as to your opinion.

I watch a lot on BBC and therefore get a lot of enjoyment out of watching BBC HD. Watch some ITV HD. So from my perspective Freesat is delivering what I wanted. Yes it would be better if we had 4 HD.

By: John_M

John_M — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:22:02 +0000

@Denis
You set the bar very low when you say Freesat ‘has done very well.’

Irrespective of your low expectations Freesat set their own benchmarks and fell short on delivery. Nobody here was promising 200 channels by the end of 2008. To date (Mid 2009) they have a little over 140.

The Freesat HDR (or Freesat + as it is sometimes known) arrived in the wake of disappointment over the extended period of time it took to actually arrive – 6 months after the launch of freesat!

BBC iPlayer was mentioned at the Freesat launch (May 2008) with the claim being made that broadband access via the ethernet connection would be available ‘within months.’ February 2009 saw Freesat ‘announcing’ the iPlayer would be available in autumn 2009…

ITV HD is arguably the biggest disappointment. The ‘Red Button’ service was introduced in a very low key way. So low key, it actually appeared to me that ITV was distancing itself from the apparent promise they’d made to the public to provide HD programming.

In January 2009 Ms. Scott outlined Freesat’s plans for 2009. Part of those plans was to ‘increasing our product range.’ Those words belied (perhaps a strong word) the difficulties that had beset Freesat’s 2008 product range with delivery delays and low availability being frequently reported.

So rather than repeatedly trotting out trite comments of ‘well done’ and being seen as an apologist for Freesat’s performance, why not engage in a meaningful assessment of what you see as the successes Freesat delivered in its first year.

By: Denis

Denis — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:17:28 +0000

John Clark – Don’t you find plenty to watch on BBC HD. Also ITV is improving the number of HD progs. Apart from not having 4HD Freesat is delivering all the HD channels that it was likely to have at this stage.

Promise what promise? Freesat never promised in HD any more than BBC and ITV. As I have said before Freesat is still a fledgling service and has done very well in the short time it has been up and running.

By: John Clark

John Clark — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:35:11 +0000

I am very happy with my TV when its in Freeview mode (which was built into the set) just feel missled by Freesat regarding extra channels and the promise of HD. Need not have spent extra on purchasing box and installation.

John

By: Denis

Denis — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 06:42:43 +0000

johnboy – Marie and myself would’nt have time to meet up as we are too busy enjoying our Freesat viewing.

By: johnboy

johnboy — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 10:46:55 +0000

Marie,
You and Dennis should meet up, I`m sure you would make a very
happy couple.

By: Denis

Denis — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:13:28 +0000

Marie – Well said, I agree 100% with you. You really do wonder what some of these critics were expecting on Freesat. As I have said before this is still only a fledgling service so we really could’nt expect much more.

I think the point is people like us sit and enjoy our viewing on Freesat. I feel sad for the moaners who must be feel really disatisfied each evening as they sit watching TV.

By: Marie

Marie — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:33:43 +0000

Johnboy obviously has no idea how digital satellite services work. There is a big difference between Free-to-view and Free-to-air channels. Freesat brings you the best of the latter on it’s EPG system, if you can hack into other channels then good for you, if they wanted to have a listing on Freesat they would have. Don’t you think that if Freesat could have more channels on the service they would? These are tough economical times for channels, Freesat can’t invent good channels just for the likes of Johnboy. If you don’t like the content on some of the channels – take it up with the channel! It’s an excellent service and has given the first real option to people to watch HD without a subscription and for that it deserves every recognition! Certainly their sales figure beg to differ with the negative picture some of you would paint. Go Freesat taking on the big boys and winning!

By: Denis

Denis — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:54:59 +0000

JohnM – The reason I use Freeview is for recording as I do not have a Freesat PVR. However I am only recording programmes that are available on Freesat.
I will say it again I for one am very happy with the Freesat service.

I can understand those that are not happy with the service. However that is the nature of opinion there will always be a diverse range of views including some that will never be happy irrespective of how good the service is.