Photo by marcoPapale.comIreland’s answer to Freeview – called Saorview – launched across Ireland on October 31.
The first-stage service reaches 90 per cent of the population and carries RTÉ One, RTÉ Two, TG4 and RTÉ News Now. There are also several radio channels, and TV3 is expected to join when it haas overcome some commercial issues.
A second stage will launch in Spring 2011 with high definition sport, drama and film; news services; interactive services and dedicated children’s services, and will reach 98 per cent of the population by 2012.
RTE is also planning to launch Saorsat – a free-to-air satellite TV service exclusive to Ireland – in Spring 2011 to reach the final two per cent.
This can’t be achieved with the Astra 2 group at 28 degrees East – used by Freesat and Sky – because it also covers the UK and parts of Europe.
But is might be done with Eutelsat Ka-Sat, a new satellite launching later this year which uses highly focussed beams in higher Ka-band frequencies.
The Irish government is already planning to use Ka-Sat to supply broadband to remote communities, so it would be ideal for getting TV to the same locations.
However, no deal for TV has yet been announced between RTE and Eutelsat.
Like all EU countries, Ireland must switch off its analogue TV transmitter network by the end of 2012.
