The BBC and ITV have confirmed plans to form a joint venture company to launch Freesat, a guaranteed free-to-view satellite TV proposition, by Spring 2008.
At noon today, the BBC Trust approved BBC plans for the service.
> Click here for full details on the BBC Trust's Freesat decision
Less than one hour after the Trust's decision was made public, the BBC and ITV said that Freesat would ensure that free public service broadcasting would be available to people outside the post-analogue switchoff Freeview footprint. The two broadcasters have been working with manufacturers and retailers ahead of today's announcement and have confirmed that consumers will be able to choose between a range of standards-based devices to access the service for a one-time fee. Standard definition and high definition boxes will be available, as will HD personal video recorders and integrated digital TVs.
"The BBC's objective in launching Freesat is to support Digital Switchover by providing another way for licence payers to receive digital television channels and radio services, subscription free from the BBC and ITV," said BBC director general Mark Thompson. "Its primary purpose is to drive digital take-up in analogue homes, particularly in those areas which are out of digital terrestrial coverage. Freesat also offers a trusted free-to-view digital upgrade path that gives licence payers all the benefits of digital television (notably high definition capability) guaranteed free of subscription."
Michael Grade, executive chairman of ITV, said: "Freesat will build on the success of Freeview by offering viewers a simple and cost effective way of upgrading to digital TV. By filling in the current gaps in Freeview coverage, Freesat will ensure that a free-to-air, no strings attached option for accessing digital TV is available to the whole of the UK ahead of digital switchover. By offering HD capability we will future proof Freesat if, as expected, high definition television continues to capture the imagination of UK viewers."
