Freesat is a free to view HD satellite service that has been set up by the BBC and ITV.  You may have seen a few adverts about it, but by and large, Freesat has slipped into the digital television marketplace without ceremony.  Probably all you've seen about it is maybe a digital freesat receiver in Dixons or Currys.

Freesat basically allows you access to over 80 channels or television and radio for free via satellite.  Ok, so what the heck does free satellite television mean?  It means that the channels are free to view once you've purchased the set top box.  Freesat receivers start at about 50 quid for a basic model and go up in price.  Panasonic have released a plasma TV with Freesat built in so you don't have to fuss with extra cables and boxes and remotes.  You also need a satellite dish.  And you need to get that installed (or do it yourself).  If you have an old Sky dish, you can use that (I speak from experience here).

So freesat is kind of like freeview in a way, only apparently, it is available even in areas where freeview is not.  Personally, I think the name freesat is a poor marketing choice because people are going to assume it is freeview, when in fact it is a different set of channels and a completley different initiative.

One of the great promises of freesat is High Definition television.  Of course, your TV must be able to support HD, and obviously the programme must actually be broadcast in HD. 

So, can this satellite television service from BBC and ITV compete with Sky?  Well, not if they don't get off their arses are market it properly.  Sky at least everone knows about.  Freesat is still relatively unknown.  Thing is, what you don't want in your television service is more confusion.  It's enough trying to buy a new piece of television equipment with all the specs and 1080p this and HD or SD that and digital and analog, and now freeview and freesat.  We need better definiton of product.  Clear placement and advertising so the word gets out.  Freesat itself is a great service - I have it and the reception is great (I live in an area where analog reception is rubbish - even freeview doesn't work here), but the marketing behind it has  failed.