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Freeview confirmed for 2009

NOTE: There are now later posts on the state of play for Freeview than this story, please refer via search function or News posts.

Freeview will launch in Australian in 2009.

The ABC, SBS, the Seven Network, the Nine Network, Network TEN, Prime, WIN and Southern Cross have joined forces to deliver the free-to-air digital television platform. The media companies will comprise a new not-for-profit organisation, chaired by the ABC’s Kim Dalton.

Freeview will offer 15 television channels from free-to-air broadcasters on digital platforms, including new channels from the big three commercial networks. It will not include subscription TV.

Freeview operates in the UK with an EPG at no cost to viewers, with no satellite dish, no subscription, no ties, no contracts, and no installation costs.

Press Release:
Australia’s free-to-air commercial television networks together with the nation’s public broadcasters today formally announced the establishment of Freeview.

The consortium has been formed to help drive take-up of the free-to-air digital television platform in Australia.

Freeview shareholders include the ABC, SBS, the Seven Network, the Nine Network, Network Ten, Prime, WIN and Southern Cross. The ABC’s Director of Television, Kim Dalton, will Chair the not-for-profit organisation.

Mr Kim Dalton says Freeview will work to ensure all Australians continue to enjoy the great range of programming offered by free-to-air broadcasters as the nation transitions from the analogue to the digital platform.

“This is an extraordinary step forward for the free-to-air broadcasters. Together we have pioneered digital television in Australia, investing millions in infrastructure and converting our equipment and studios accordingly. Now it’s time for Australians to reap the rewards; Freeview will offer viewers more channels, great content and the very best quality picture and sound,” Mr Dalton said.

From next year, Government legislation will allow the commercial free-to-air networks to broadcast an additional standard definition (SD) channel each, in addition to their primary SD channels, and their recently added high definition (HD) channels. The three new channels, together with the two ABC and two SBS channels and their respective HD channels, will bring to 15 the suite of channels to be marketed under the Freeview umbrella.

To receive all the Freeview channels, consumers will need an HD digital-set-top box, digital video recorder or an integrated digital television.

Freeview will be launching an awareness campaign in the coming months to ensure consumers are ready for when the full suite of 15 Freeview channels are available next year.

Ahead of the launch, Freeview is working with manufacturers to ensure appropriate technical standards are met on all television or digital set-top-box equipment that will carry the Freeview badge.

Freeview will work closely with all relevant areas of Government to ensure consistent messaging.

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131 Responses

  1. Is the analogue switch-off another way to further disadvantage regional Australia? Located just 8km from town, digital TV sucks. It nearly always has interference. Try watching anything when it is jerky and pixelated. What will we watch when analogue is gone? I suppose we won’t have to listen to politicians’ empty promises about services to regional Australia. We still don’t have the service we had with CDMA. 3G signal is near non-existent. We have to go for a walk to use our Telstra blue tick Country-phone. Wireless broadband with one bar of signal on Edge connection? Sorry but you don’t qualify Broadband Guarantee! I’m sick of this!!! Can’t they wait till a new service is ready for roll-out?

  2. Can you please inform me as to when the new free to view channells will be coming to Glenwood, sydney new south wales as I ive there and still do not have it.

    I know of some people in newcastle and peakhurst in sydney that have it on their televisions but we do not.

    Can you please tell me when we are getting it and also if it is available now then what do we have to do to get it, just incase we are doing something wrong.

    Valma

  3. Well….I really want to give the foxtel away… I only really watch Nat. Geo, History, Comedy and 111 hits – and thats when Im home! The amount of crap/ads Im ‘privy’ to on foxtel is,in it self, almost reason enough to cancel foxtels subscription but who know’s whats going on with ‘Freeeeeview’ – Australia’s free to air TV broadcasters are thinking one of two thins, one- the entire world stops to sleep at 10.30pm (go ‘Pro-active’ and the ‘ab roller’!) or they think we are the dumbest audience on the planet – and dont mind 10 year old, 2-3 week cycles of the Simpsons bombarding our television every night at dinner time – twice if your lucky enoough with desert.
    Im feelin pretty duped hey. Lets not hear anything alse about this until the ‘powers that be’ can spew out a date.
    Fingers crossed and ets hope we stop being taken for morons by the TV networks someday soon. I suppose thats like saying we will be paying cheap prices for petrol in the next 10 years – laughable jase

  4. Can anyone tell me what the name of channel 7 ’s new freeview channel will be. Also do you know if it will be a movie channel or documentaries or mix of both. Can you tell me when it will be announced?

  5. Can anyone tell me what the name of channel 7 ‘s new freeview channel will be. Also do you know if it will be a movie channel or documentaries or mix of both. Can you tell me when it will be announced?

  6. I know there is an ABC kids channel coming at the end of the year. Are there more coming after that? Are there going to be more than the 15 at some point?

  7. ok freeview is almost here i understand that , but why have 15 channels if the h.d. for example: one h.d. when the standed on has the same show on it . if the big offer for more channels is there then why have the same show on it i, I personally don’t want to see the same show three times; really do you want to how about getting some new shows on the hd channels.

    1. Given that Freeview is actually a bunch of channels, including the ones we already had, you already technically have it: 7, 9, 10, ABC, SBS plus ABC2, 7HD etc. Some of these are available on Foxtel depending on where you live and how you access it. There is no official start date, but a rollout of extra channels such as SBS2 this week. Freeview says their new EPG will be up by the end of the year.

  8. i see the ‘born free’ advert of tv quite regularly. when will us tasmanians get to view the new channels? especially one hd? cant they just flick a switch?

  9. Why is everyone promoting Freeview saying that an HD set top box is required? Some retailers are not even stocking SD set top boxes! Surely an ordinary TV will not reproduce the quality of HD and it appears the HD channels will also be simulcast on an SD channel (as 1HD is also on 12) so an SD set top box is sufficient. Should the viewer update to an HD capable TV in the future, it will have an HD tuner in it. This needs to be clarified, so the technology challenged do not waste money.
    regards
    Denis

  10. dont it sux that we have to wait all this time as they make enough money from advertising and yet they make us wait and it just going to be another let down dont expect anything different than to what you have know as if it is going to be that good well they would put austar out of buisness just go get austar on know i did. there will not be any difference than what you have know people. It just plain free advertising on the t.v. stations behalf come people yous arnt that stupid to expect something great.

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