A closed version of the service first will be available for a few hundred users, which should become freely available to around 230,000 households by Christmas. The trial is designed for Humax HD boxes owned by an estimated 1-in-3 freesat viewers.
Additionally Freesat will launch ITV’s version of the iPlayer, the ITV Player, in the first half of 2010.
To get the service viewers will need to connect their Freesat TV or HD box to their broadband, or arrange for a professional to do it for them. An actual broadband speed of 1Mbps is needed, or 2Mbps to watch in high quality.
The initial stages will be limited to invited journalists and Freesat partners. Freesat said: "We hope as many Freesat viewers as possible will be able to use the service by Christmas and without the need for a code."
Freesat also announced it had increased the number of households with boxes and compatible TVs by 200,000 in the three months preceding 30 September to take its base to 750,000.
.jpg)
.jpg)