The BBC and ITV's joint digital satellite television venture Freesat has launched in the UK, but with a disappointing amount of radio channels available.
So far, only BBC radio stations are available, although more is expected to join in the near future as the service grows. The full list of channels as of launch date are:
700 BBC Radio 1
701 BBC Radio 1Xtra
702 BBC Radio 2
703 BBC Radio 3
704 BBC Radio 4 FM
705 BBC Radio 4 LW
706 BBC Radio 5 Live
707 BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
708 BBC 6 Music
709 BBC Radio 7
710 BBC Asian Network
711 BBC World Service
712 BBC Radio Scotland
713 BBC Radio nan Gàidheal
714 BBC Radio Wales
715 BBC Radio Cymru
716 BBC Radio Ulster
718 BBC Radio London
Freesat offers a satellite equivalent of the Freeview platform, which currently has a large amount of commercial radio stations along with the main national BBC channels. In contrast, anyone with a Sky Digital box is able to choose from over 100 radio stations.
Television channels on Freesat are available free without subscription for users purchasing a receiver. The service makes use of the same fleet of satellites as used by Sky Digital, so no alternative dish is required.
