FreeSat to launch March 2008? - Techwatch Support Forums: Digital & Satellite TV, FTA, Cable, Computers, Mobile Phones, Apple and General Tech Forums

Neo · 02-11-07, 11:38 AM

Hi Everyone,
Does anyone know if Freesat service will be Free to Air or will they use some sort of soft embedded encryption?, Heard that Ch4, E4, More 4 not renewing encryption contract with Sky and joining FreeSat. Will they stay Free to Air or will we have to buy a FreeSat Receiver as a once off payment, I Hope not, Any views?, Thanks.

BGonaSTICK · 02-11-07, 11:42 AM

Freesat is scheduled for next year, yes. March? Maybe.

Ch4 et al have not made a decision on dropping encryption and are still contracted, but there are strong rumours they will now opt out. If they do, they will go FTA.

Freesat will not employ any encryption AFAIK, at least in the beginning. Don't be surprised if the boxes come with a CI slot though - in case it becomes Paysat!

Neo · 02-11-07, 02:16 PM

Thanks BGonaSTICK,
Cheers for the info, Sagem, Panasonic and others have been appointed to deveolp STB's for FreeSat, Probably have its own epg and radio application. As long as the channels stay FTA i can do without the EPG etc...

lincsat · 02-11-07, 02:56 PM

There is the option to go FTV in the Freesat agreement - just depends how they get on with rights issues.

02-11-07, 11:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
Neo Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	FreeSat to launch March 2008? Hi Everyone, Does anyone know if Freesat service will be Free to Air or will they use some sort of soft embedded encryption?, Heard that Ch4, E4, More 4 not renewing encryption contract with Sky and joining FreeSat. Will they stay Free to Air or will we have to buy a FreeSat Receiver as a once off payment, I Hope not, Any views?, Thanks.

02-11-07, 11:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Dodgy Geezer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 9,718 Thanks: 3 Thanked 166 Times in 60 Posts	Re: FreeSat to launch March 2008? Freesat is scheduled for next year, yes. March? Maybe. Ch4 et al have not made a decision on dropping encryption and are still contracted, but there are strong rumours they will now opt out. If they do, they will go FTA. Freesat will not employ any encryption AFAIK, at least in the beginning. Don't be surprised if the boxes come with a CI slot though - in case it becomes Paysat! __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W

02-11-07, 02:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
Neo Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: FreeSat to launch March 2008? Thanks BGonaSTICK, Cheers for the info, Sagem, Panasonic and others have been appointed to deveolp STB's for FreeSat, Probably have its own epg and radio application. As long as the channels stay FTA i can do without the EPG etc...

02-11-07, 02:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
lincsat Super-Dooper Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: In front of the PC Posts: 6,002 Thanks: 8 Thanked 2,580 Times in 667 Posts	Re: FreeSat to launch March 2008? There is the option to go FTV in the Freesat agreement - just depends how they get on with rights issues. __________________ Blade7000 & DM800Pro/SE in Stock, Linux Sat boxes from £52.25, SkyboxF3 under £60. Kryptview £123.50 & SV6 under £72 with Members Discount - Lincsat's Nick-Nacks (Shop) Drivers Protest Union

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