@JonB
>> Although I have to strip half that from the program guide there as
>> well nothing worse than getting bogged down in crap when you're
>> channel hopping.
Surely you mean channel hoping - i.e. relentlessly switching channels in the hope that you might find something worth watching.
Also to those who don't see the difference between this and Freesat from Sky, the difference is subtle but major. Freesat from Sky was/is tied into Sky, you can only really use their boxes for full functionality (encrypted channels being a sore point with third party boxes and lack of decent EPG making PVR difficult, IIRC). The only real choice for PVR is a Sky+ box from Sky, and require and a Sky+ subscription at £10 per month (only £6 less than a Sky subscription).
So far as I can see this opens up the market massively which has so far been massively controlled by Sky. It is cheaper for broadcasters to transmit, which should mean a few more Channels. It is also means more choice for receiving hardware which should increase competition and lower prices.
@bluesxman, yes there are more channels currently on Freesat from Sky, but that is because they are currently contracted to Sky and are encrypted (so would only work on Sky boxes). The reason there will be so many new channels by the end of the years is that a lot of the contracts are due to run out soon, and Real Freesat is a lot cheaper for broadcasters. All the Real Freesat channels will be available on your existing Freesat from Sky, so I imagine you can stick with that as long as you like.
@rathga, the reason E4 is on Freeview and not Freesat from Sky, is that until recently E4 was in a contract with with Sky which required it to be encrypted and only available to subscribers (they got screwed) - perhaps Sky gave them a discount on the transmission fees because it only available to subscribers. The reason it is on Real Freesat and Freeview is that the transmission fees are much lower and the exclusive satellite contract with Sky has ended.
As to those who want to know what it offers that Freeview doesn't:
* more channels
* hopefully better EPG with series linking
* better coverage - most places with poor tv coverage don't get freeview very well (at least till the switch off), neither do they get cable; the only choice for many is Sky, until now - e.g. I live in an area with no cable, very unreliable freeview, and terrestrial with no Five and no BBC2 or Channel4 when we get low pressure (or high pressure, or both, I can't remember but it is pretty often), the only choice is satellite until the switch off in 2012.
* also, in many/most cases, fitting a satellite dish doesn't necessitate climbing on the roof, unlike fitting an arial - so more people could do it themselves, saving more money.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
