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FreesatWelcome to joinfreesat.co.uk, the unofficial Freesat news site. Find out the very latest information on the Freesat satellite television service, available throughout the UK. This site includes all the latest news, reviews and product details, plus where to buy online at the best price.

Freesat is a UK digital satellite TV service from the BBC/ITV which launched in May 2008. Freesat has no monthly subscription, just a one-off payment for the digital box, satellite dish and installation. It even comes with subscription-free, high-definition TV programmes. As Freesat is broadcast via satellite, it’s available to almost every household in the UK.
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Oct 04 2012

From October 15 it will reduce the number of video streams on red button from five to one. This will bring it in line with the Freeview offering.

The interactive service is high cost and the streamlining is part of the Delivering Quality First drive for savings. …read more »


Jul 26 2012

It would appear from the comments on Joinfreesat and on the satellite forums that many of you are experiencing problems trying to record the 24 additional Olympic channels added on Monday.

We have contacted Freesat to find out more information on this and had the following response from Emma Scott …read more »


Jul 19 2012

Freesat can confirm that the BBC’s 24 live HD Olympic channels will be shown on channels 151-174, throughout the London 2012 Olympics.

The full range of live BBC Olympics coverage will be available, subscription-free on Freesat and Freesat+ customers …read more »


May 15 2012

Freesat to offer BBC’s 24 HD Olympic ChannelsNews taken from BBC Sport website

The BBC has announced details of the digital services that will offer viewers the most comprehensive coverage ever of an Olympic Games. The broadcaster will provide live coverage of every London 2012 sport from every venue throughout the day.

An enhanced video experience will give access to up to 24 live HD streams and 2,500 hours of coverage via the BBC Sport website on PC and laptop. A free Olympics mobile app will allow audiences to access content on the go. …read more »


Apr 03 2012

Freesat to offer BBC’s 24 HD Olympic ChannelsFreesat will carry all of the BBC’s 24 live HD Olympic channels throughout the London 2012 Olympics, offering the full range of live BBC Olympics coverage, bringing every Olympic sport from every Olympic venue.

In addition to the 24 temporary BBC HD Olympics channels listed in the Freesat TV Guide, Freesat viewers will also be able to access the live ‘streams’ via the BBC Red Button service. …read more »


Jul 28 2011

News story courtesy of Broadband TV News – (thanks Gordon S Valentine for the link)

The BBC Trust has said the BBC can continue to play a part in Freesat following its approval of plans to include pay-TV content.

The Trust said proposals by the free-to-air satellite platform to introduce the listing of pay content delivered on-demand via broadband did not represent a significant change to the approval previously given in 2007. There was no need for a Public Value Test or for further regulatory process. …read more »


Feb 16 2011

Panasonic DMR-BS850, BS750 XS350 iPlayer Update

Update (16/02/11) – There was clearly no love in the air at Panasonic when they missed the 14th Feb software update, but have now released a revised date of 21st Feb (network) and 22nd Feb (over the air) for their DMR-BS850, DMR-BS750 and DMR-XS350EB iPlayer update. Whilst these continual delays are frustrating, at least they have presented us with a new date which hopefully means they are getting closer!

Original post (25/01/11) – Panasonic have updated their FAQ section today to suggest a another “tentative” release date for BBC iPlayer on their previous Blu-ray/DVD models (DMR-BS850, DMR-BS750 and DMR-XS350EB); their date set in jelly is Valentines day (14th Feb 2011), could love be in the air for those still waiting? …read more »


Jan 28 2011

Article taken from BBC Internet Blog.

2008 saw the launch of a brand new digital TV platform, with the BBC instrumental in delivering both channels and interactive content on to Freesat.

The BBC Red Button offering on the new platform was not quite the same as that on our existing platforms such as Sky, Virgin Media and Freeview and this has generated some comments since then. In particular, Freesat viewers have been keen to enjoy the same video content that was made available on other platforms. I want to update these Freesat viewers on some exciting developments. …read more »


Dec 07 2010

(originally posted 06 Dec 2010)

The BBC have introduced a range of new IPTV streams, initially, exclusive to Freesat.

The streams, which are accessed via the red button on your Freesat receiver connected to the Internet, will give you access to much more content as the bandwidth available is so much greater than that of the available satellite space/frequencies. …read more »


Oct 21 2010

The BBC today confirmed that BBC One HD will launch at 7pm on Wednesday 3rd November 2010 across all HD platforms: Freesat channel 108, Freeview channel 50, Sky channel 143 and Virgin Media channel 108.

The new high definition (HD) channel kicks off at 7pm with a series of programmes made in true HD: The One Show, followed by Wallace and Gromit: World of Inventions (the new series brought to you from award-winning Aardman Animations), as well as some food for thought with Nigel Slater’s Simple Suppers and Jimmy’s Food Factory. The Apprentice and Film 2010 will also show in HD that evening.

It is also announced today that the BBC’s award-winning continuing drama EastEnders broadcasts in HD for the first time on Christmas Day, allowing viewers to catch all the drama in Albert Square in even more vivid detail.

EastEnders follows Holby City which made the move to HD on 18th October 2010. It will be shown on the BBC’s existing HD channel, until BBC One HD launches in November.

The new HD channel will simulcast a network version of the BBC One schedule, with the majority of peaktime programmes in HD, including The Apprentice, Strictly Come Dancing, Children in Need, Antiques Roadshow, Countryfile, The Graham Norton Show and The Royal Variety Show.

Jana Bennett, Director BBC Vision said;

Whether it is seeing the flicker of irritation on Lord Sugar’s face in a boardroom showdown or watching the beads of sweat fly from the dancers on Strictly, BBC ONE HD is the biggest sign yet that HD viewing is now part of the mainstream.

Danielle Nagler, Head of HD & 3D says;

It’s incredibly exciting to begin the official count down to the launch of the new channel, and we’re delighted to be launching with BBC One’s popular flagship programe, The One Show.

The arrival of the UK’s favourite channel in HD – as a second HD channel from the BBC – will increase the range and choice of HD programming we can offer the ever growing HD audience.

“The existing BBC HD channel has been hugely successful. It will continue to show programmes from across all BBC channels, to allow all HD viewers to find programming they can enjoy. And it will now have space to accommodate more hours of new HD programmes from the BBC.

Bryan Kirkwood, Executive Producer EastEnders says;

Christmas Day in Walford is traditionally, turkey, tinsel and turmoil for the residents of Albert Square. This year will be even more spectacular with viewers having the opportunity the watch the festive drama unfold in HD for the first time.

*Those shows which aren’t made in HD – including EastEnders up until Christmas Day – will still be on BBC ONE HD – but will be upscaled.

The BBC HD Channel will continue to bring programming such as Top Gear, Wimbledon, children’s programming, golf coverage, great drama, comedy, music and factual programmes from BBC TWO, THREE and FOUR throughout the week. We can also announce that this year we’ll bring viewers some of the last races of this year’s Moto GP in HD as a trial run for the sport on the channel.

The Autumn launch is the first stage in delivering BBC One in HD. The majority of programmes in the BBC One network evening schedule will be available in HD at launch, and by 2012 it is expected that the vast majority of all BBC One titles across all hours will be in HD. In time the channel will evolve to bring all programmes, news and current affairs to viewers in the nations and regions.

Follow the progress towards the channel launch on twitter @naglerHD.