Freesat to show Euro 2008 in HD
ITV HD to debut when Saturday comes
The BBC and ITV will be showing Euro 2008 footie matches in HD over the Freesat network, the two broadcasters have announced.
When Freesat launched last month, it promised ITV's HD channel would be coming exclusively to its set-top boxes "soon". Today, it said the first broadcast will take place on Saturday evening at 7.45pm. It'll be the Portugal vs Turkey match.
BBC HD will broadcast the opening game of the tournament, Switzerland vs Czech Republic, at 5pm. However, the BBC content is also available through Sky and Virgin Media HD services.
Freesat requires a satellite dish and a suitably-branded set-top-box from the likes of Humax, Goodmans, Bush and Grundig. Only the Humax box, the Foxsat-HD, is currently capable of picking up the HD content, according to Freesat.
Purchasing the set-top guarantees subscription-free access, but satellite dish installation comes extra. And yes, you still need a TV licence.
You'll need an HD TV, of course. If you don't have one, Panasonic is offering a line of LCD TVs with integrated Freesat tuners.
COMMENTS
Freesat vs Sky
Got my Freesat setup working (Humax FOXSAT-HD) last week.
I've staunchly refused to get Sky - I'm not paying up to £50 a month for TV, I'm not interesting in football and if I want to see a film I'll go to the Cinema.
News International/Sky must be "bricking" it over this new service.
I've been spreading the word at work and I know several people who are thinking of binning Sky now that there is an alternative that will offer 200+ channels by the end of this year and several HD channels. The alternative free service from Sky will never compete unless they include the HD content.
HD PVR...
Due in about 6 months...
I do agree that HD FOotball is a complete waste of bandwidth, though the F1 would be nice!
I saw a Grundig HD Receiver, also for £119, in Currys the other day... so there are other options now.
As for no ITV HD on Sky, i utterly applaud that, the rumoured figure that Sky wanted ITV to pay in order to appear on the EPG was madness, so fantastic that they're going elsewhere... i hope the others (Channel 4, BBC etc) turn round and tell Sky to f**k off too, just as soon as they can....
Just a shame that i can't get a dual LNB on the dish where i live so the PVR is a waste, i'll have to stick with SD for recorded stuff :(
RE: Football in HD !!!
"If you want sport (of any sort) in HD why not get off your arse and go and PLAY it"
Because I'm English, and as such, have absolutely ZERO chance of playing in Euro 2008 (even without taking ability into account)
HD Box
Not sure where the info about the Humax being the only HD box came from, just got the Bush one from Argos and 'am Watching BBC HD now.
(The Bush is the cheap one, £119 with a free HDMI cable if you do a reserve on the web site).
Football in HD !!!
What a complete waste of bandwidth.
If you want sport (of any sort) in HD why not get off your arse and go and PLAY it ... and as a added advantage you will get real force feedback as well.
Plus whilst playing sport you will not be able to bore everyone else with trite gibberish sport punditry.
