Freesat announces launch of BBC iPlayer in beta

 

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Posted on 25 Nov 2009 at 15:56

Freesat, the subscription-free satellite TV service, had announced the long-awaited launch of iPlayer. The BBC on-demand service will be available in a beta phase on Freesat from 7th December 2009. This marks the first time that viewers will be able to receive a full version of the popular BBC catch-up via subscription-free TV direct to their set.

It was also confirmed that ITV Player will launch on Freesat in the first half of 2010. All existing Freesat HD TVs (such as those in Panasonic's Viera range) will be able to receive iPlayer, so you won't have to buy a new TV or set-top box.

The initial stages of the beta test will be restricted to journalists and partners, but the aim to to allow as many Freesat viewers as possible to use the service by Christmas.

With BBC iPlayer on Freesat, you can catch up on your favourite BBC programmes from the last seven days or catch-up on whole series you may have missed, whenever you want and from the comfort of your sofa.

In the run up to Christmas around 450 hours of programming will be available each week, including Strictly Come Dancing, Top Gear, EastEnders, Life and The Gruffalo.

The launch of BBC iPlayer on Freesat adds to the fantastic array of programmes already available on the platform including over 140 channels, with free HD from the BBC and ITV.

It's easy to set up BBC iPlayer on Freesat. Simply connect your HD Freesat TV or set-top box (such as Humax's Foxsat-HD and Foxsat-HDR) to your broadband router. Alternatively, you can arrange for a professional to connect BBC iPlayer for you, either as part of full install if you have just bought Freesat or separately if you already have Freesat installed.

Be aware, though that you'll need an actual broadband speed of 1Mb/s to watch BBC iPlayer or 2Mb/s to watch in high quality. You can test your speed using the free service at Speedtest.net. You will initially be able to access the BBC iPlayer beta service by pressing the red button to get to the BBCi menu.
Emma Scott, Freesat??s managing director, commented, "We're delighted to be able to offer BBC iPlayer to our viewers. All the HD receivers that have been bought and will be sold in the run up to Christmas will deliver BBC iPlayer so there??ll no need to buy any new receivers. BBC iPlayer has been fantastically successful online so being able to offer viewers the ability to watch it in their living room on a subscription free TV service for the first time will be transformational."

Of course, this isn't the first time viewers have been able to get iPlayer on their TVs, as it's simple enough to connect your laptop to you HD TV. Plus, there's a plugin for Windows Media Center which allows you to access iPlayer through Media Center's slick interface, so anyone with a PC in their lounge can avoid buying a Freesat set-top box. You can download the TunerFree MCE plugin from MillieSoft's website.

Author: Jim Martin