BBC TRUST DECIDES FREESAT FUTURE.

AS REPORTED BY THE BBC TRUST IN APRIL 2007.

“I agree that these proposals are consistent with the BBC's Public Purposes. They will
increase the coverage of Digital services and will provide a service to licence fee payers that
do not have access to them currently.”
“Yes. The BBC's proposal is essential if it is to provide a service to all of the population
following the analogue switch off. It would be inconsistent if one had to pay a licence fee to
the BBC and then deal with a commercial organisation before receiving any service.”
“The RDI LB endorses any actions promoting access to the BBC's digital services, insofar as
extending the platforms on which these servicescan be viewed would appear to be entirely
consistent with its [the BBC's] remit.”
“Absolutely yes.
Again, beyond improving access to HD, etc. services for the UK mainland, in the CI region it
appears to be our ONLY hope of access to ANY license fee paid digital PSB services at all!”
“Yes. Freesat is an essential development as long as digital signals cannot be strengthened in
other ways. It will also help begin making HD content more widespread.”
“I think the BBC Trust is completely correct in their conclusion that Freesat is part of the
BBC's mandate to provide public digital services. Freesat represents another channel for
people to use, that is free (outside of the TV Licence) and offers choice. The BBC could also
harness the power of Freesat (and Freeview) to use peoples existing Broadband connections
so that feedback from set top boxes or Integrated Digital TV's can be sent direct to the
programme makers, especially good for panel shows requiring public voting, or precise
viewing numbers (for advertisers).”
“I agree 100%. Public Service Broadcasting is one of the gems in British society. We should
guard it against unfair competition and seek to maintain it and its very high standards.”
Sample of comments from respondents who believe that the proposal is notconsistent with the BBC’s Public Purposes
“No, at best Freesat will only duplicate some of the terrestrial coverage. The extra cost is a
waste for the minimal benefit to fringe areas. The licence fee should be used for program
production.”
Question 6 – Has the Trust correctly identified those markets that may be
affected by the launch of “Freesat”?
Of the 463 responses to question 6, 93% consider that the Trust has correctly identified
those markets that may be affected by the launch of ‘Freesat’, while 7% do not.



"Has the Trust correctly identified the markets that may be affected?" 93% said "Yes" and 7% said "No".Organisations were the exception , with 31%believing that the correct markets had not
been identified, compared to the average of 7%. Among the markets suggested as missing
from the Trust’s analysis were distribution methods and the likely future shape of the HD
market (specifically a Freeview HD offering)

Those reponding that markets had not been correctly identified consisted of, organisations (31%), other (11%), Overall(7%) andSelf (5%).Sample of comments from respondents who believe that the correct markets
have been identified
“Yes indeed. In fact it is about time that DSAT services become competitively recognised as
a true public resource, as they are through most European countries, and not an exclusive
resource incorrectly perceived to be "owned and controlled" by a single privately owned,
subscription TV, service provider as they have become in the UK.