Loading ...As freesat is a joint-venture between BBC and ITV, naturally it means that their channels will be available on the new service, but what about C4 and Five? Despite what some think, there’s no such rivalry between the networks to prevent them signing up, nothing of the sort, the reason is that they are both presently tied into individual agreements with Sky, as the only available provider of their service via satellite television.
So will C4 and Five be available from launch? It doesn’t seem likely! Our sources tell us that the existing C4 contract, which includes C4, C4+1, C4 HD, E4, E4+1, More4 and More4+1 means they are tied up in contract until Autumn this year. Five, Five Life, Five US and the pending Five HD are in agreement with Sky until early 2009.
So what affect would that have on freesats launch? I’m still questioning whether the freesat launch will happen before atleast C4 get out of their contract! C4 have hinted at leaving the contract early, but can you imagine the implications of this, plus the cost to breach agreement that keeps Sky firmly in control of the satellite market. I can’t see freesat taking off with only 3 of the power 5 channels, can you?
April 11th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
[…] Originally we beleived that Channel 4 would have to wait until their existing contract with Sky ends in October, but it seems that they might have found a solution to this (no idea how!). […]
May 6th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Well, E4, E4+1, More4 & More4+1 are available on the 6th May . . I’m sure Ch4 will follow shortly and wrid themselves of their BSkyB entrapment.
May 10th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Well, it looks like the whole Ch4 suite is available, Ch4 More4 and E4 also the +1’s. I’m not sure if I’m particularly bothered about Five as rarely watch it. It’s also about time something was done about Sky’s monopoly on football ‘cos I’m damned if I’m gonna pay to watch it, but people will ‘cos they’re stupid.
May 26th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Am keen to convert to satelite mainly to obtain a reliably clear picture, but not until I am certain that the channels 4 & 5 range of programs are on board.
May 26th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
G Marriott - C4 and their range of channels are already available on freesat. Five is expected soon, although maybe not the rest of the Five range due to issues getting them onto the appropriate satellite beam.
See more posts on channels here, http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/category/channels
May 29th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Channel 4 is actually broadcasting free right now on Freesat. It’s labelled as 8450 (or something like that).