[opendtv] BBC Trust gives thumbs up to Freesat

Wow. I would think this could cut deeply into DTT usage in the UK, even though 
satellite reception is not always possible.

Free satellite service should mean that apartment complexes, in which 
individual dish antennas are not always an option, should have no legal 
problems at all to install DBS distribution nets for the entire complex.

Bert

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http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?class=countries&subclass=0&id=2397

BBC Trust gives thumbs up to Freesat

The BBC has been given the go-head to develop and launch its long-awaited 
Freesat initiative. Announcing the approval after a one-month consultation 
which generated more than 700 responses, acting BBC Trust chairman Chitra 
Bharucha said the free-to-view digital satellite proposition would create 
"significant public value".

The BBC Trust provisionally approved Freesat in February. The BBC plans to 
operate the service as a joint venture with other public service broadcasters. 
BSkyB already offers a 'Freesat from Sky' service, offering more than 120 
digital TV channels and 80 digital radio stations for a one-off payment of £150.

Bharucha said the Freesat venture would "ensure the public remain in control of 
how they access the BBC's television channels and radio networks for which they 
have already paid".

"Freesat is guaranteed to remain subscription free, ensuring that the benefits 
of digital television do not equal 'pay television'. The results of the public 
consultation have reinforced our view that the BBC's proposition for Freesat 
will create significant public value.

"The Trust has asked BBC management to move swiftly in developing plans. On 
behalf of all licence fee payers, and particularly those outside Freeview 
coverage areas, we have asked BBC management to be ready to launch Freesat as 
quickly as possible to ensure that licence fee payers gain the maximum benefit 
in the lead up to digital switchover."

Of the 700 responses, 25 came from organisations. A majority of organisations 
responded were "broadly supportive", said the BBC Trust. "Some questioned 
whether it is the responsibility of the BBC to create additional choice for 
consumers and if such a proposition should be publicly funded and some 
respondents also questioned the Trust's decision not to apply a 'Public Value 
Test' before reaching its decision."

Bharucha said the Trust had imposed a number of conditions on Freesat, 
including a requirement that other broadcasters in the venture should not be 
subsidised by the licence fee, and that the BBC "should keep its interaction 
with Freeview operationally separate from its involvement with Freesat to 
minimise any potential effect on competition".

Lovelace Consulting 27.04.2007
 
 
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