What is Freesat?

Freesat is a digital satellite TV service from the BBC and ITV, offering even more free channels than are available on Freeview.

As with Freeview, there are no ongoing fees and you don't have to worry about a contract - but you'll need a dish fitted to your home to receive Freesat. While this can require an initial outlay, it may suit those who don't get the best reception with Freeview. You'll also need a Freesat set-top box - some of which allow you to pause and rewind live TV. But what else does Freesat offer, and is it the best option for your home? Read on to find out.

More interested in Freeview via a combined TV and broadband deal? Find out which companies have the happiest customers using our guide to the best TV and broadband providers.

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What channels are available on Freesat?

While Freeview offers over 70 TV channels, including 15 HD channels, and 32 radio stations, Freesat trumps that by giving access to more than 160 options, with 25 in HD.

Alongside the five main TV channels – BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5 – Freesat customers can access channels such as:

Entertainment: BBC Three, BBC Four, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4, E4, More4, 5 USA
News: BBC News, BBC Parliament, Sky News, Al Jazeera, France 24
Films: Film4, GREAT! movies
Lifestyle: Food Network, Really, HGTV
Kids': CBBC, CBeebies, Pop
Music: 4Music, Magic, Kerrang!

Freesat HD

Freesat HD has 25 HD channels in total including BBC One HD, BBC Two HD, BBC News HD, ITV1 HD and Channel 5 HD.

To enjoy these channels you'll need a television with a Freesat HD tuner (also known as DVB-S2), or a compatible set-top box or PVR (personal video recorder).

How do I get Freesat?

To receive Freesat you'll need an existing satellite dish on your house, or pay to have one installed. Many Freesat customers previously received their TV from Sky and so have a dish ready to go. Otherwise, it can cost over £100 for a dish installation.

Retailers of Freesat products have to offer a satellite installation service, including supply and setup of the dish – sometimes they'll give you a discount when you buy a Freesat product, so make sure you ask.

TVs with Freesat: Some TVs have built-in satellite tuners meaning they can receive either Freesat or even Freesat HD channels without needing a separate set-top box. You just need to connect the satellite cable to your TV and you're good to go.

Set-top box: You can buy a Freesat HD set-top box for around £150. Connect the box up to the satellite feed, and to your TV via an HDMI cable.

Freesat PVRs: Freesat allows you to record programmes, or pause live TV. PVRs with Freesat are available from around £250. To get the full experience, you should have two inputs (cables) from your satellite dish to your Freesat PVR.

If you think you may be interested in a combined TV and broadband deal in future, it's worth keeping in mind that some of these require you to have Freeview, rather than Freesat.

What is Freesat from Sky?

Freesat from Sky is not the same as Freesat – rather it was launched by Sky as a competitor to the BBC and ITV's main Freesat service in 2008, and was discontinued in 2021. 

Both services used the same satellites to deliver free TV channels to people's homes. Freesat from Sky gave you access to all the channels available on Freesat, with over 240 channels, but only 11 in HD, compared to over 20 available on Freesat. Channels included BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4, Pick TV, 5 USA, plus  a few channels you won't find on Freeview or Freesat. 

Read our guide to Now TV to find out more about adding Sky premium channels to your TV subscription.