So What is Freesat?

Freesat, a collaborative venture initially established by the BBC and ITV in 2008, offers a diverse selection of over 200 free-to-air television channels and radio stations. These channels are delivered via digital satellite transmission.

Distinguished from Freeview, Freesat was conceived to address areas with suboptimal aerial reception. Instead of depending on local aerial transmitters, you simply position a compact satellite dish, typically installed on the exterior of your home, on a wall, or occasionally on the roof, towards the sky. Connect this dish to an indoor tuner, and you're ready to enjoy your programming. (It's worth noting that rare situations may hinder your house from aligning perfectly with the satellite signal.)

Thanks to its superior reception quality and broader bandwidth, Freesat boasts a more extensive channel lineup compared to Freeview, including some channels in high definition (HD). This comprehensive offering comes with a user-friendly Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), offering up to 8 days' worth of advanced TV scheduling.

Furthermore, certain Freesat set-top boxes provide access to popular streaming service apps such as BBC iPlayer and All4. It's important to mention that these services are delivered through your broadband connection rather than the satellite signal. However, it's worth noting that older boxes do not support ITV Hub's successor, ITVX.

A noteworthy development occurred in 2021 when Freesat was acquired by Digital UK, which has since rebranded as "Everyone TV." As a result, Freeview and Freesat now operate under the same umbrella, although they continue to function as distinct consumer entities – at least for the time being.