Aerial or satellite?

For a one-off payment and no subscription, you can get digital TV through an aerial or via a satellite dish.

Free satellite

What you get: over 140 digital channels, radio stations and services, including HD and BBC iPlayer – all received via a satellite dish at your property.
What you need: a Freesat digital box (from around £29), or a Freesat HD digital box (from around £68), or a TV with Freesat HD built in (prices vary). You also need a fully installed satellite dish – a standard installation should be around £80.
Extra: subscription-free HD TV. For this you need a Freesat HD digital box connected to an HD-ready TV, or a TV with Freesat HD built in.
Check: there may be restrictions on satellite dishes where you live.
More information: visit Freesat or phone 0845 313 0056.

What you get: more than 200 free TV channels, plus interactive features via the red button and over 80 radio stations - all transmitted via a satellite dish at your property.
What you need: a satellite dish, set-top box and viewing card, which are all installed for you (£150 including installation). You pay only for the equipment; you don't need a subscription.
Extra channels: a range of Sky packages available on subscription.
Check: there may be restrictions on satellite dishes where you live.
Information: visit Freesat from Sky or phone 0844 824 4400.

What you get: all BBC TV channels (including all BBC One regions) and national digital radio stations, plus other free-to-air channels. Some free channels (e.g. Channel 4, Five) are encrypted and require a Sky viewing card and set-top box. Interactive services via the red button are not available.
What you need: a satellite dish and compatible set-top box, from around £150 depending on dish type, plus installation (by a professional installer, or do it yourself).
Tuning: see the frequencies of BBC channels for non-Sky equipment.
Check: there may be restrictions on satellite dishes where you live.
Information: consult a satellite dealer.

What you get: more than 40 free TV channels, plus interactive features via the red button and more than 20 radio stations - all transmitted to your normal TV aerial.
What you need: EITHER a set-top box (from around £17) which you simply connect to your existing TV by plugging in a lead, OR a TV set with a Freeview receiver built in (from around £100), OR a Freeview Playback digital TV recorder (from £100). You pay only for the equipment; you don't need a subscription.
Your aerial: you may need to pay to upgrade your rooftop TV aerial. An indoor aerial on top of your TV is not likely to be good enough.
Extra programming: available on subscription from Top Up TV Anytime, Setanta and BT Vision with their own set-top box.
More information: visit Freeview or phone 08708 80 99 80.

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