Freesat is a joint venture between the BBC and ITV, similar in concept to Freeview but using a satellite rather than an aerial transmission system. There is no monthly or yearly charge, simply one single upfront payment required for the equipment purchase and installation.

The service should be available to virtually all UK households, the only exceptions being properties without a line of sight to the satellite's south-easterly position in the sky.

Basic, standard-definition Freesat set-top boxes are available from £50 upwards with high-definition decoders starting around £100. Installation charges vary but are typically around the £80 mark, covering the purchase and installation cost of the satellite dish at your home.

The service features a line-up of around 80 standard-definition channels including the regular BBC and ITV terrestrial, digital and interactive channels with more channels being added regularly.