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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.

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.

Freesat has been announced as a finalist for the 2010 National Business Awards in partnership with Orange, the UK’s most prestigious independent business honours.

The subscription-free digital satellite TV service is in the running to win The Excellence in Marketing Award, for the success achieved around its recent World Cup in HD campaign in the lead up to this year’s tournament.

More than 150 of the UK’s most innovative businesses have been shortlisted for the awards with Freesat competing against nine others in its category.

Winners will be unveiled at a ceremony taking place at London’s Grosvenor House hotel on 9th November.

Freesat have confirmed their projection of reaching 2 million sales by 2012; showing the continued growth of the free satellite based platform.

Q1 2010 results show Freesat increased their figures by 108,000, accounting for a 34.3% share of the market during the period January to March this year.

Though not released yet, Q2 2010 figures would suggest a similar increase to achieve a confirmed 1.25 million sales to date.

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.