Satellite channels
A full sateliite service of TV and radio has been available only from
BSkyB – see below for full details. But BBC and ITV have just
launched (May 2008) a national, free-to-view satellite service too.
So here first is some brief information on that.
Freesat from BBC and ITV
- one off payment for a satellite dish, set top box and installation
and no monthly subscription
- buy the kit and arrange installation through high street retailers
- pay from £49 for a standard set top box or from £120
for a high definition box, plus £80 for the dish and installation
- right now you will get 80 digital TV and radio channels from BBC,
ITV and Channel 4, due to rise to 200 by the end of 2008 – only
BBC’s HD channel now with ITV’s HD due to launch soon.
See contacts
list for freesat from BBC and ITV.
Freesat from Sky
There are two main options:
- The no-subscription Freesat from Sky service – you pay a
one-off cost of £150 for all equipment and installation. For
this you get over 120 digital TV channels, 80+ digital radio channels
and interactive services.
- A subscription service – ranging from £16 to £45
a month, you pay for only the packages you want. You can get more
than 400 digital TV channels as well as digital radio stations and
interactive services. Sky Box Office movies/events, Sky+ recorder
and Sky HD cost extra.
See contacts list
for BSkyB.
FOR AND AGAINST - Freesat from Sky
For
Against
- Can work out expensive if you are tempted by a lot of extra channels
- With the subscription service, you have to subscribe for at least
12 months
- Can't get Sky+ recorder with the no-subscription service
- Have to have satellite dish installed somewhere outside
- On-Screen TV guide does not list radio programmes
Other satellite services?
You can buy satellite receivers and dishes from satellite dealers
and get 120+ TV channels and 80+ radio stations free-to-air –
but not Channels 4 and 5 and no on-screen TV guide.
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