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BBC and ITV team up for free satellite service

06/05/2008

A new joint venture from the BBC and ITV is to provide a free-to-view satellite service for thousands of homes across the UK.

Available to 98 per cent of homes with a satellite dish, Freesat will broadcast 80 digital television and radio channels with up to 200 on offer by the end of the year.

Though Freesat users will have to pay a one-off charge for the service - covering a satellite dish, set-top box and an installation fee - there will be no monthly subscription charge.

The service will also be available to homes that are currently unable to receive Freeview TV.

Emma Scott from Freesat told BBC Radio 5Live: "It's got 98 per cent coverage across the UK and it's only homes that really don't have a clear line of sight to the satellite that can't get it, or certain listed buildings.

"But unlike Freeview you can receive Freesat across the country, which means that in those areas that at the moment can't get access to free digital television this is the first time that you can get free digital TV."

Freesat also hopes that its service - which provides HD programming from the BBC and ITV - will encourage more Britons to take advantage of high-definition programme.

An estimated ten million homes have an HD-ready television but do not currently use an HD receiver of subscription service.

ITV executive chairman Michael Grade said the launch of Freesat was "the final piece in the digital jigsaw".

"We will launch our HD service with an unrivalled line up of premium football including the FA Cup, England internationals and Uefa Champions League from next season," he added.