Freesat doubles numbers

The UK free-to-air satellite platform Freesat doubled sales in the last quarter of 2008, securing 200,000 homes since in the eight months since its launch.

The figures represent an increase on the 100,000 homes that the BBC-ITV venture announced in September and provides further evidence that the TV market at least is capable of riding out the current consumer gloom. In November the first Freesat+ personal video recorder was added to the product portfolio.

“We saw consumers increasingly drawn to Freesat at the end of last 2008 and into this year. The quality and choice of channels and services available and the added benefits offered by Freesat+ have really struck a chord,” said Freesat MD Emma Scott. She promised further technology innovation on the platform in the next few months. “Key goals in 2009 include increasing our product range and distribution by the quality and choice of channels and services available, and the anticipated launch of IPTV services, like BBC iPlayer onto Freesat later this year.”

Freesat’s consumer panel has given HD as a strong reason for the purchase of Freesat equipment. 61% specified HD as their primary reason for purchasing. Although subscription free Freesat has just two HD channels, BBC HD and the part-time ITV HD, compared to the more than 30 on offer from Sky.