AfterDawn: News

BBC HD satellite TV service gets go-ahead

UK consumers may be pleased to hear that the BBC's proposed partnership with ITV to launch a free-to-view digital TV service transmitted via satellite has been given the go-ahead. The proposed service would include high-definition (HD) content. While the BBC already sends out its channels via satellite unencrypted, Sky offers more than 100 other free channels but requires that customers get their set-top box to decrypt them.

The BBC/ITV partnership would offer more channels to viewers free of charge as long as a set-top box is purchased. Of course, a dish also would need to be installed. It would offer more content than Freeview and would also have HD programming. Broadcasters are waiting for the transition to all digital transmissions to free up bandwidth for HD on Freeview.



The proposed service from the BBC and ITV also would be an advantage for users who live in areas where the Freeview signal is too weak.

Source:
Reg Hardware

Written by: James Delahunty @ 29 Apr 2007 18:35

• Previous article

• U.S. WTO complaint against China joined by Canada

• Next article

• Lower Xbox 360 sales drops Microsoft's games division revenue

• 3 comments

• malcdogg

  I'm jealous.

  29.4.2007 19:17 #1

• borhan9

  I wonder why Australia does not do something like this.

  30.4.2007 12:41 #2

• hughjars

  Excellent.
  
  Some people complain about the mandatory TV licence we have to pay in the UK but compared to the commercial sector's charges it is, IMO, a bargain (£135p.a.).
  
  The full package (all sports & movies) of Sky satellite TV in the UK is £43 (£516p.a.) - and if you have their HD service it's £53 (£636p.a.).
  
  All the commercial sector 'packages' are more expensive than the TV licence.
  OK you have to have that TV licence in the UK but considering what you get for it I rate it as real value.
  
  .....and having seen what a wholly commercial environment can lead to (US TV) I think we in the UK are well served by the BBC which has ensured a level of quality programming we would not otherwise have enjoyed.
  
  A freesat service will ensure nationwide TV coverage when the analogue service is switched off in the coming 5yrs as well as also ensuring an affordable public HD service.
  
  It's better than just handing everything over to a commercial sector which would undoubtedly head for 'lowest common denominator' profits and less concern for sustained quality.

  1.5.2007 04:44 #3