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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.

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.

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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.

Latest update scan on all Freesat receivers

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1 Changed – 504 B4U Music frequency change (12.129V to 11.259V)

It looks like Freesat have re-opened the debate on offering a Pay-TV option on the ‘free’ satellite platform, following high level discussions to consider allowing access to premium channels such as Sky Sports 1 and 2.

Though no decision has yet been made, Freesat are very keen to offer as many channels as possible on the platform, and with so many high profile channels deciding to remain ‘subscription only’ or free-encrypted (FTV), this might be a bold step forward, even if it goes against the initial reasons Freesat was launched.

Premium channels were made available wholesale to other platforms back in April when Ofcom forced BSkyB to allow access; this has led to BT Vision launching the sports channels (albeit SD only) in time for the new football season, and many see this as a chance finally to watch specific programmes/channels without having to sign up for others you don’t want.

It is expected that a third party will handle the sales (like Top-up TV on Freeview), with Freesat themselves taking care of the conditional access system thanks to the electronic programme guide (EPG) already in place.

Emma Scott, Managing Director of Freesat said;

We are looking at pay television. There is a lot of discussion around the Freesat and pay television issues taking place at board level. We haven’t taken a final decision. My personal view is that it would be odd for Freesat not to offer the option as well.

This is great news for Freesat (depending on how you look at it), but any developments are likely to be slow; Freesat would require the approval of the BBC Trust before proceeding.

What are your thoughts on the news, would you welcome this option? Leave your comments below and vote using the poll on the left.

Five HD today launched on both the Sky and Virgin Media platforms; unfortunately though Freesat isn’t expected to gain this channel any time soon.

Many, including Five themselves will tell you that the reason for the lack of Five HD (as well as Fiver and Five US) is because of space available on the narrow Astra2D beam required to broadcast in the clear as a UK broadcaster.

In reality, the reason is that Sky pay Five a nice sum of money to remain encrypted, ensuring they are the only satellite based platform with these channels. Until a time when Freesat has a sufficient number of viewers (so advertising revenue accounts for more), or Ofcom some how force Five into broadening their access, it looks like we’ll be without.

If anything changes on this, or we get an official response from our questions to Five, we’ll let you know.

Latest update scan on all Freesat receivers

2 Added – 142 True Entertainment, 403 Showcase
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