mattnewton.co.uk

I’ve been watching out for this for months (and in case you’re wondering, freesat is supposed to be written with a lower case f). Some time earlier this year, I read about a new service from ITV and BBC to provide what equates to Freeview - via Satellite. Now I know this has already been done by Sky, as I signed up to the Freesat from Sky service about a year ago, however, freesat is set to offer HD programmes. Anyway, you can read all about it at freesat.co.uk.

So, I thought I’d have a piece of the action. I searched around and found a couple of sites that had some information on freesat and I also found out where to buy the decoder and so on.

Well, today’s the day. The freesat service launched at just after midday. Did you miss it? You probably did. Whay do I say that? Well, considering the service launched today, the equipment you need to be able to watch it isn’t available. So who’s been watching it?

After making a few calls and dropping into a few outlets on my way back from work tonight, I’ve found that some of the designated retailers don’t know about freesat (one called it “freeset”) and none of them have any stock of the equipment required in order to be able to view it.

I’ve done some homework and John Lewis are getting them in soon (although I suspect that they’re already in stock, but they don’t know what to do with them).

Curry’s are getting deliveries later this week and should have them in by Thursday / Friday (so I expect the same could be said for Comet).

Argos are showing them on their website and available for pickup, but out of stock in every location (sounds like the trouble we had trying to get the Wii).

So, with that, I’m not sure I want to get one just yet. I may wait until Humax do the PVR version of the receiver - the HDR-9300FS.

I just hope freesat’s launch party isn’t based on audience figures, otherwise they’ll be celebrating with bread and water tonight.