Financial crisis boosts Freesat sales

Freesat
Freesat's sales have hit 200,000 since the launch of the service in May 2008

The latest data from Freesat shows that sales of the subscription-free satellite service doubled in the run-up to Christmas.

Over 200,000 boxes have now been sold.

The success of Freesat, which launched in May last year, can be attributed to several factors.

As the economic crisis continues to bite, Freesat's free digital TV package is an ideal choice for telly-watchers. Especially in those regions where Freeview coverage is patchy.

"We saw consumers increasingly drawn to Freesat at the end of last 2008," says Emma Scott, MD of Freesat. "The quality and choice of channels and services available and the added benefits offered by Freesat+ have really struck a chord."

Subscription-free HD

Another big part of Freesat's appeal is the subscription-free 'high-definition' TV from the BBC and ITV.

According to Freesat, 61% of Freesat's 'customer panel' specified high definition programming as their primary reason for purchasing the system.

The recent addition of DVR boxes under the Freesat+ banner has given the system another weapon in the battle against arch-rival Sky. But it's still early days.

"As we approach Freesat's first anniversary in May 2009," adds Emma Scott, "we're in an extremely strong position to build on our early successes.

"[Our] 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."

Latest in Entertainment
A collage of Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch and Tatiana Maslany's She-Hulk
Marvel fans are already tired of Doomsday and Secret Wars cast gossip as two more superheroes get linked with roles in the next two Avengers movies
Venezuela's forward #09 Jhonder Cadiz celebrates after scoring during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Ecuador and Venezuela, at the Rodrigo Paz Delgado stadium in Quito, on March 21, 2025 ahead of Venezuela vs Peru
Venezuela vs Peru live stream: how to watch FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier anywhere online
The cast of Alone Australia season 3, standing in a knee-high body of water
How to watch Alone Australia season 3 online – stream the survival show from anywhere
This City Is Ours
How to watch This City Is Ours online – stream Sean Bean crime drama from anywhere
Canada's Val Sweeting competes during the LGT World Womens Curling Championship match for third place ahead of Canada's showing at the Women's Curling World Championships 2025
Women's Curling World Championships live stream: how to watch Uijeongbu 2025 online, schedule, streaming guide
Star Wars BDX Droids walking in Galaxy's Edge.
‘We only build technology in the interest of storytelling’ – Disney’s associate lab director of Robotics on the Star Wars BDX Droids and what lies ahead
Latest in News
Open AI
OpenAI unveiled image generation for 4o – here's everything you need to know about the ChatGPT upgrade
Apple WWDC 2025 announced
Apple just announced WWDC 2025 starts on June 9, and we'll all be watching the opening event
Hornet swings their weapon in mid air
Hollow Knight: Silksong gets new Steam metadata changes, convincing everyone and their mother that the game is finally releasing this year
OpenAI logo
OpenAI just launched a free ChatGPT bible that will help you master the AI chatbot and Sora
NetSuite EVP Evan Goldberg at SuiteConnect London 2025
"It's our job to deliver constant innovation” - NetSuite head on why it wants to be the operating system for your whole business
Monster Hunter Wilds
Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 1 launches in early April, adding new monsters and some of the best-looking armor sets I need to add to my collection