BBC iPlayer on Freesat - starts soon

The BBC and ITV will provide on demand TV to all Freesat boxes, starting soon.

The BBC and ITV will provide on demand TV to all Freesat boxes,
As promised at the launch of Freesat, the BBC iPlayer is coming. Just by plugging the Freesat box into your home network, you will be able to watch iPlayer content on your television set with nothing but your existing Freesat box.

If the iPlayer does not show on your Humax or Sony box, enter the page number 5483 into the BBC "Red Button" service..

In addition, the ITV Player will be live on Freesat by the end of May 2010.

Freesat box Emma Scott is "delighted to be able to offer BBC iPlayer to our viewers. All the HD receivers that have been bought and will be sold in the run up to Christmas will deliver BBC iPlayer so there'll no need to buy any new receivers. There's a great schedule of programmes be available on BBC iPlayer in the lead up to Christmas with the likes of The Gruffalo, the EastEnders Special and Doctor Who.

BBC iPlayer has been fantastically successful online so being able to offer viewers the ability to watch it in their living room on a subscription free TV service for the first time will be transformational. We'd like to thank the BBC for all their hard work bringing the service onto our platform."



BBC iPlayer on Freesat factsheet

Welcome to BBC iPlayer beta on Freesat

A Beta version of BBC iPlayer will be available on Freesat 7th December, offering the BBC catch up TV service for the first time on a non-subscription TV service over open internet.

During the initial stage of Beta, selected journalists and partners will be able to access the service using a code. We hope as many Freesat viewers as possible will be able to use the service by Christmas and without the need for a code.

Watch what you want, when you want to

With BBC iPlayer on Freesat, you can catch up on your favourite BBC programmes from the last seven days or catch-up on whole series you may have missed, whenever you want and from the comfort of your sofa.

In the run up to Christmas around 450 hours of programming will be available each week, including popular programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing, Top Gear, EastEnders, Life, Gavin and Stacey, and The Gruffalo. And with the BBC's full Christmas schedule still to be announced, Freesat viewers can look forward to even more great BBC programming being available whenever they feel like watching it.

The launch of BBC iPlayer on Freesat adds to the fantastic array of programmes already available on the platform including over 140 channels, with free HD from the BBC and ITV.

Easy set up

It's easy to set up BBC iPlayer on Freesat. Simply connect your HD Freesat TV or HD box to your broadband via the Ethernet port using an Ethernet cable or homeplug.

Alternatively, you can arrange for a professional to connect BBC iPlayer for you, either as part of full install if you have just bought Freesat or separately if you already have Freesat installed.

Viewers will need an actual broadband speed of 1Mbps to watch BBC iPlayer or 2Mbps to watch in high quality. Because actual speeds can vary from those advertised, it's best to first test your broadband speed.

You will initially be able to access the BBC iPlayer beta service by pressing the red button to get to the BBCi menu.

Published on 25th Nov 2009 at 16:44:24 by Brian Butterworth

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Does every make of Freesat HD box have an RJ45 port at standard? I'm maybe wrong but a few types like Sagem/ Grundig i've come across don't...
Posted by Jordy (1,570 posts) on Wednesday 25 November 2009 4:59PM GB
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Jordy: All branded Freesat boxes have an Ethernet port, it's part of the box specification.
Posted by Briantist (17,034 posts) on Wednesday 25 November 2009 5:04PM GB
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Brian - I'll take that as gospel... Maybe it's sd boxes or something else.
Posted by Jordy (1,570 posts) on Wednesday 25 November 2009 5:10PM GB
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Jordy: No, at the launch they said that all Freesat boxes will be able to use the iPlayer, including the Freesat TVs. The SD boxes I saw (rare, aren't they?) had the port.
Posted by Briantist (17,034 posts) on Wednesday 25 November 2009 5:40PM GB
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Hi, I have wifi. how and what do I need to connect my ethernet port to make it wifi?
Thanks
Posted by Dominic (2 posts) on Wednesday 25 November 2009 9:42PM GB
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Hi guys,

As the bush hd box is still on sale does it mean that it will be compatible with the i-player ?
The first gen sd boxes also have the ethernet port, will they get the i-player ?
If archie takes itv 2/3/4 into the pay option will freesat viewers get to view itv 2/3/4 programs on the itv player ?

and of course does this open the way for dave /virgin 1/ yersterday be available streamed into freesat boxes with a internet connection ?

questions questions questions !

Im Looking forward to it !

Mark Aberfan Aerials
Posted by Mark Aberfan Aerials (781 posts) on Wednesday 25 November 2009 10:05PM GB
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Hi Brian,

I think the latest all plastic single scart sd boxes have no ethernet port, hence the carefully worded statement.

Mark Aberfan Aerials
Posted by Mark Aberfan Aerials (781 posts) on Wednesday 25 November 2009 10:14PM GB
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Mark Aberfan Aerials: I'll get back onto them to clarify in the morning.
Posted by Briantist (17,034 posts) on Wednesday 25 November 2009 10:42PM GB
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Hi guys,

one thing I will say is, those on a capped broadband connection (i.e. talktalk at 40gb) had better watch out, a few shows streamed via iPlayer will chew up your 40gb! All the ISP are either going to make a lot of extra money out of the poor saps downloading/watching TV via iPlayer or someone somewhere is going to have to stop them capping allowances per subscriber.

I hope this don't sound like the ramblings of a mad man but I've hit the 40gig limit (talktalk) just uploading photographs and updating vista, mind you my son is a major online gamer! lol But saying that I'm sure people will be in for a shock re the amount of data this will take up! (map)
Posted by Nick (32 posts) on Wednesday 25 November 2009 11:56PM GB
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Nick: 40GB is a good 40 hours of HD, and 80-120 hours of SD.
Posted by Briantist (17,034 posts) on Thursday 26 November 2009 6:54AM GB
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Mark Aberfan Aerials: At the launch it was said that ALL Freesat boxes will support the iPlayer. All of them.
Posted by Briantist (17,034 posts) on Thursday 26 November 2009 6:56AM GB
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Dominic: The cheapest way is to use a cable to connect it to the wifi router, otherwise you will need to get another wifi router and get them to interconnect.
Posted by Briantist (17,034 posts) on Thursday 26 November 2009 6:58AM GB
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So its confirmed, ALL the SD box's will work with i player.
Posted by Ian (240 posts) on Thursday 26 November 2009 10:46PM GB
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The iPlayer is available free on BT vision. You can opt for a non-subscription service on BT vision. I'm not trying to promote BT vision but the freesat iPlayer is surely not the first time it will be available on a non-subscription TV service. BT doesn't set BT vision bandwidth usage against the limit for general broadband usage. I do have the BT vision but I have made very little use of it and most of that use has been the iPlayer. (map)
Posted by Richard (7 posts) on Thursday 26 November 2009 11:34PM GB
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Richard: Yes, it's free and unmetered on Virgin Media too.
Posted by Briantist (17,034 posts) on Friday 27 November 2009 7:44AM GB
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Ian: No, it would appear that that "launch" information was incorrect, the SD boxes (if you found one) do not all have Ethernet ports.
Posted by Briantist (17,034 posts) on Friday 27 November 2009 7:47AM GB
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OK thanks for the info
Posted by Ian (240 posts) on Friday 27 November 2009 1:44PM GB
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Hi Brian,

Did you get a answer ?

Mark Aberfan Aerials
Posted by Mark Aberfan Aerials (781 posts) on Saturday 28 November 2009 7:18PM GB
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Hi Richard,
I have bt vision but am unable to access bbc iplayer for free, how do you do it ?
When I try I either get a request for funds or get redirected to the iplayer website.
Mark Aberfan Aerials
Posted by Mark Aberfan Aerials (781 posts) on Sunday 29 November 2009 3:25PM GB
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Mark Aberfan Aerials: It does appear that the specific wording on the press release was correct, only Freeview HD boxes will have the iPlayer and then only in SD.
Posted by Briantist (17,034 posts) on Monday 30 November 2009 8:08AM GB
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Thanks Brian :-)

Mark Aberfan Aerials
Posted by Mark Aberfan Aerials (2 posts) on Monday 30 November 2009 5:53PM GB
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Mark Aberfan Aerials: I let that get by me. I need some fresh air I think!
Posted by Briantist (17,034 posts) on Monday 30 November 2009 6:38PM GB
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WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD OF ITV PLAYER & 4OD ON FREESAT ?

Pete
Posted by Pete (11 posts) on Tuesday 1 December 2009 12:00AM GB
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Pete: ITV Player is starting early next year.
Posted by Briantist (17,034 posts) on Tuesday 1 December 2009 4:51AM GB
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Users of iPlayer should remember that although you won't be charged for BBC content, lots of cheap broadband offers restrict the amount of how much you can download each month. I have an unlimited BT account, but it costs more. iPlayer is downloading video and this will use up your amount if you are watching everyday. (map)
Posted by Bill Kocher (11 posts) on Tuesday 1 December 2009 9:56AM GB
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Bill Kocher: Well, yes if you download video you are going to use bandwidth! Some supplier (Virgin, TalkTalk) don't charge any more for using the iPlayer.
Posted by Briantist (17,034 posts) on Tuesday 1 December 2009 10:17AM GB
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Rog Parsons: Not with your existing equipment, but you do get access with the Freeview based BT Vision.

Project Canvas will bring iPlayer to Freeview eventually, but Sky are doing their best to undermine it at the moment.
Posted by Briantist (17,034 posts) on Tuesday 1 December 2009 3:03PM GB
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BRAINTIST : Why are Channel 4 so loyal to SHY, chosing to have their HD services exclusively on SKY HD rather than FreeSat (BBC/ITV), especially after their huge row over FILM FOUR on Freeview. Since when did SKY do anyone other themselves any favours, the showdon with Virgin over Sky One etc. springs to mind. Pete
Posted by Pete (245 posts) on Wednesday 2 December 2009 5:21PM GB
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Pete: Channel 4, I understand, are waiting for space on Astra 2D, with the UK beam. They don't want to put the channel out free over all of Europe.
Posted by Briantist (17,034 posts) on Wednesday 2 December 2009 5:23PM GB
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Will I be able to get iPlayer if I have a non-Freesat box which has a ethernet port e.g. Technomate 6800HD Super
Posted by Chris (1 post) on Monday 7 December 2009 7:18AM GB
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Chris: No, only Freesat boxes with MHEG5 will work.
Posted by Briantist (17,034 posts) on Tuesday 8 December 2009 11:48AM GB
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Television has just broken down. Have FSFS at the moment. If I buy a TV with freesat installed can I use i player through my internet bearing in mind my computer is upstairs and the TV is downstairs. Seems a long way to run a wire.We also currently run two lap tops on a wireless basis.Broadband provider is talktalk (map)
Posted by John (1 post) on Thursday 17 December 2009 9:45AM GB
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John you would need to make sure your intended TV replacement with onboard "Freesat" had an ethernet port as the stand-alone receivers have. I presume that they will have but best check this out in the set specifications. a "Home Plug" kit will over come the distance between appliances issue. Works the samr as BT Vision setup.
Posted by Les Nicol (443 posts) on Wednesday 23 December 2009 7:28AM GB
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John. P.S. iPlayer is delivered in Beta form as it's still testing and is only available on Humax receivers at this time, but should be launched across the "Freesat" platform very shortly.
Posted by Les Nicol (443 posts) on Wednesday 23 December 2009 7:32AM GB
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Can someone please confirm whether or not I will be able to get BBC i-player direct from a new Freesat box without the need for a broadband connection (i.e. direct from the box.) If so are these in the shops yet ?

If not in simple terms how do I connect the i-player to my TV, when I only have one Ethernet cable which currently feeds from the service provider's modem into the back of my computer to receive the internet ?

Peter
Posted by Peter (245 posts) on Sunday 17 January 2010 3:26PM GB
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Peter - A broadband splitter and an RJ45 patch cable... The BBC i player is not "over the air" the freesat box is then scarted into the tv as normal...
Posted by Jordy (1,570 posts) on Sunday 17 January 2010 4:23PM GB
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I have Humax Foxsat box, BT router and ether net cable connecting the two, to enable me to get BBCi player. On BBC home 100 when I press the red button i-player is not listed. Is it not available yet for CV37 0ST? (map)
Posted by Richard Stanbury (1 post) on Tuesday 19 January 2010 11:32AM GB
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Richard - It's still BETA Testing but you can access it by pressing 5483 into the remote key pad. Once the testing phase is complete it will be listed.
Posted by lesnicol (443 posts) on Sunday 24 January 2010 11:15AM GB
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Sony TV's with onboard "Freesat" - Software update (that's the TV software) will now enable iplayer access on 5483.
Posted by lesnicol (443 posts) on Sunday 24 January 2010 11:17AM GB
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lesnicol: Thanks for that info. I have place it at the top of the page too.
Posted by Briantist (17,034 posts) on Sunday 24 January 2010 4:33PM GB
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