Freesat has reached 600,000 households, doubling its installed base since the BBC-ITV backed satcaster last released figures in May.
“To achieve this level of sales and viewing in such a short space of time is a fantastic achievement and testament to the ever-growing appeal of Freesat, both to consumers and broadcasters,” said Freesat MD Emma Scott. She added that the numbers were expected to increase further, with HD coverage of 2010 World Cup providing viewers with an added incentive to take Freesat’s subscription free option.
Although there has been no confirmation that Freesat will be able to offer the same range of HD channels that will be available on the new terrestrial Freeview HD platform from December, the satcaster’s statement did promise its long-awaited version of the BBC iPlayer “in the near future”.
As reported in Broadband TV News the IP-based Interaction Channel, through which the iPlayer would run, is on the verge of being finalised. Delegates to IBC this weekend could see a working prototype on the S&T and Humax stands.
