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1 Added – 515 Vintage TV
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Latest update scan on all Freesat receivers

3 Added – 694 God Channel, 732 Smooth Radio, 807 JewelleryMaker
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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.

Latest update scan on all Freesat receivers

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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.

Latest update scan on all Freesat receivers

2 Added – 142 True Entertainment, 403 Showcase
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Following the news that Vintage TV are set for launch on Freesat, it was announced yesterday that Smooth Radio will also be coming to Freesat.

Smooth Radio; presently a regional channel, have confirmed reports of going national in England with an expected launch date on Freesat from 4th October 2010 (as well as on Sky, Freeview and DAB).

The change is said to be due to a loss in audience figures year on year (down 5.9%), with an expected job loss of 50 staff as a result of the relocation of some services to Manchester.

The UK is set to get its first music and popular culture TV network targeting viewers aged over 50.

Vintage TV will launch on the Freesat platform on 1st September 2010, covering music, fashion and trends from the 1940s to 1980s. It is projecting an over-50s potential audience of 21 million (between Freesat and Sky).

About 40% of its programming will be original, including entertainment series and more than 500 specially created music videos. Archive footage from the BBC, ITN, Channel 4, Eagle Rock and DCD Rights has been acquired and a website featuring video-on-demand programming will also be launched.

Following on from the previous annoucement Rural TV made about its return to Freesat as part of Horse & Country, we have had confirmation today of a delay due to ongoing discussions between Rural Media Group and Freesat. We are not exactly sure of the reason these discussions are needed, given Rural TV was previously on the platform, but Rural TV don’t expect resolution until late July at the very earliest.

Sarah Chase, Head of PR & Marketing at Rural TV said in a statement to us earlier;

When the initial press release, which stated our return to Freesat, was sent out there had been no indication of any change. However, since this time our parent company (Rural Media Group) has entered into ongoing discussions over Freesat. I am not privy to the conversation and therefore cannot provide you with any more details. I have been told that we don’t expect to be ready to restart the Freesat 403 broadcast feed until late July, at the earliest. Should this change … you’ll be the first to know!