The BBC/ITV-backed Freesat direct-to-home platform, set to launch in 2008, will be critical in helping the United Kingdom become an all-digital nation, according to Emma Scott, project director for Freesat.

After the success of digital terrestrial offering Freeview, which is in more than 8 million households, a Freesat service will enable people in rural areas who cannot receive Freeview to have a low-cost option for going digital. The service, like Freeview, will have no monthly subscription charge.

Scott believes Freesat will, in essence, become the final chapter of the Freeview story.

"Satellite delivers universality, which Freeview terrestrial doesn’t,” she said. “In a digital world, satellite is very important. It is a strong platform. It has proven consumer interest and take-up. Freesat is filling in the gaps. It is very important for the BBC and ITV to finish off the job we started off with Freeview.”

An interview with Scott can be found in the June 4 issue of Satellite News. For more information about subscribing to Access Intelligence’s newsletters, check out our Web site at https://www.satellitetoday.com