Cable Forum - View Single Post

altis · 08-09-2005, 23:33

This is big news guys! At the moment, most people in the UK think that the only way to get satellite TV is thru Sky. Well it isn't. Anyone can go out and buy a Free To Air satellite receiver (Lidl had some this week for ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£39.95) , set it up and start receiving lots of free channels - with no subscription! Some of the channels are listed here:
http://www.lyngsat.com/freetv/United-Kingdom.html

At the moment there are 2 problems with doing this. First off, ITV1 is not available because the idiots signed an exclusive deal with Sky that ties them in. Secondly, the Electronic Program Guide available outside Sky is very primitive at the moment.

Last year (or was it the year before) the Beeb partially untangled themselves from Sky and all their programs are now transmitted in the clear and are available without subscription. However, their channels are still included in the Sky EPG - for which priviledge the Beeb has to pay millions.

The Beeb have managed to get ITV to come in with them (once their contract with Sky expires) so that all the UK's Freeview channels will also be available via satellite. It looks like the Freesat service will also have its own EPG too.

Good news methinks and one on the nose for Mr Murdoch too.

08-09-2005, 23:33	#15
altis Inactive Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Warrington ntl:81304 Altitude: 12m (and falling) Posts: 4,499	Re: BBC and ITV to start Sky TV rival This is big news guys! At the moment, most people in the UK think that the only way to get satellite TV is thru Sky. Well it isn't. Anyone can go out and buy a Free To Air satellite receiver (Lidl had some this week for ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£39.95) , set it up and start receiving lots of free channels - with no subscription! Some of the channels are listed here: http://www.lyngsat.com/freetv/United-Kingdom.html At the moment there are 2 problems with doing this. First off, ITV1 is not available because the idiots signed an exclusive deal with Sky that ties them in. Secondly, the Electronic Program Guide available outside Sky is very primitive at the moment. Last year (or was it the year before) the Beeb partially untangled themselves from Sky and all their programs are now transmitted in the clear and are available without subscription. However, their channels are still included in the Sky EPG - for which priviledge the Beeb has to pay millions. The Beeb have managed to get ITV to come in with them (once their contract with Sky expires) so that all the UK's Freeview channels will also be available via satellite. It looks like the Freesat service will also have its own EPG too. Good news methinks and one on the nose for Mr Murdoch too.