Free-to-view
Encyclopedia
Free-to-view is a term used for free of charge and encrypted
audio and/or video contents transmission that do not require any form of continual subscription. It differs from free-to-air
(FTA) where content is not encrypted.
In the United Kingdom
, e.g., it's used for certain television channels on the Sky satellite platform which require a working VideoGuard
receiver and viewing card to decrypt the signals.
(FTA), in which signals are sent unencrypted and are available for all to see with any DVB-S
decoder. Over 100 channels are currently free-to-air, while only a few channels are free-to-view.
, but are restricted in the Republic of Ireland
and northern France
, even though these areas are covered by the same satellite footprint
, Astra 2D
. Since BSkyB requires all its viewers to supply their addresses when registering, the broadcaster can select which channels that viewer can decrypt.
Using the same idea at a more parochial level, free-to-view encryption cards also allow for selecting the correct regional TV output based on the viewer's address. For example, by using the postcode given when registering the viewing card, a viewer based in Birmingham will have his/her configuration set to receive BBC1 West Midlands and ITV1 Central West on channel numbers 101 and 103 respectively. All regional variations are available, however, and the BBC regions are allocated channel numbers in the 900 series. ITV regions can be tuned in by using the "other channels" function.
scheme or an inactive former Sky card. All active Sky cards get the channels that are part of their subscription package. A Sky decoder box is required due to the lack of VideoGuard Conditional Access Modules. The free-to-view system offered by BSkyB was initially designed to offer the UK's 5 terrestrial broadcasters to viewers who did not want a subscription package.
In addition, certain versions/regions of ITV1
, ITV1+1 and ITV1 HD are free-to-view, while others are free-to-air.
's eight digital channels - including BBC One
and BBC Two
, were encrypted under the scheme from their launch on digital satellite until July 14, 2003, when they became free-to-air. Shortly after this, ITV stated its intentions to go free-to-air eventually, and launched their newest channel, ITV3
, in the clear on November 1, 2004. This was followed up by ITV moving its Men & Motors
channel to FTA in July 2005. This gradual conversion was completed on November 1, 2005, with ITV1
and ITV2
going FTA. The ITV's latest channel, ITV4
, was launched at the same time, also as a free-to-air service. All the BBC and ITV channels therefore can be viewed by any suitable receiver, and do not need any registration with BSkyB. However as of June 2008 some ITV1 regions were encrypted again due to one of their narrow beam transponder agreements ending. In April 2011 High definition Channel 4 HD moved from being a free-to-view channel to a free-to-air channel (when moving to a transponder on Eurobird 12607 V 27.5 3/4). On 1 December 2011, 5USA, 5USA +1, 5*, 5* +1 became free-to-air after moving to Astra 1N
.
, Austria
(ORF
) and the Netherlands
(NPO via CanalDigitaal) run a similar scheme using different encryption methods.
In Australia
, the Optus Aurora
service is available for those who can not receive a satisfactory terrestrial signal. A one-off purchase of an Irdeto
access card is required.
In Russia, Tricolor TV
is a popular satellite TV service partly operating within the free-to-view model.
Encryption
In cryptography, encryption is the process of transforming information using an algorithm to make it unreadable to anyone except those possessing special knowledge, usually referred to as a key. The result of the process is encrypted information...
audio and/or video contents transmission that do not require any form of continual subscription. It differs from free-to-air
Free-to-air
Free-to-air describes television and radio services broadcast in clear form, allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen to the content without requiring a subscription or one-off fee...
(FTA) where content is not encrypted.
In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, e.g., it's used for certain television channels on the Sky satellite platform which require a working VideoGuard
VideoGuard
VideoGuard , produced by NDS, is a digital encryption system for use with conditional access television broadcasting. It is used on digital satellite television systems - some of which are operated by News Corporation, which owns about half of NDS...
receiver and viewing card to decrypt the signals.
Free-to-view vs. free-to-air
The free-to-view system contrasts with free-to-airFree-to-air
Free-to-air describes television and radio services broadcast in clear form, allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen to the content without requiring a subscription or one-off fee...
(FTA), in which signals are sent unencrypted and are available for all to see with any DVB-S
DVB-S
DVB-S is an abbreviation for Digital Video Broadcasting — Satellite; it is the original Digital Video Broadcasting forward error coding and demodulation standard for satellite television and dates from 1994, in its first release, while development lasted from 1993 to 1997...
decoder. Over 100 channels are currently free-to-air, while only a few channels are free-to-view.
Commercial restrictions and targeting
The free-to-view system allows for restricting access based on location of the viewer. For example, commercial stations such as Channel 5 are made available to viewers in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, but are restricted in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and northern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, even though these areas are covered by the same satellite footprint
Footprint (satellite)
The footprint of a communications satellite is the ground area that its transponders offer coverage, and determines the satellite dish diameter required to receive each transponder's signal...
, Astra 2D
Astra 2D
Astra 2D is one of a group of Astra communications satellites operated by SES, located at 28.2° east in the Clarke Belt. It is a Hughes HS-376 craft, and was launched from the Guiana Space Centre in December 2000....
. Since BSkyB requires all its viewers to supply their addresses when registering, the broadcaster can select which channels that viewer can decrypt.
Using the same idea at a more parochial level, free-to-view encryption cards also allow for selecting the correct regional TV output based on the viewer's address. For example, by using the postcode given when registering the viewing card, a viewer based in Birmingham will have his/her configuration set to receive BBC1 West Midlands and ITV1 Central West on channel numbers 101 and 103 respectively. All regional variations are available, however, and the BBC regions are allocated channel numbers in the 900 series. ITV regions can be tuned in by using the "other channels" function.
Sky
Free-to-view channels can be viewed with a Sky viewing card, be it one provided by the Freesat from SkyFreesat from Sky
Freesat from Sky is a British satellite television service from BSkyB. It offers over 240 free-to-air channels and 12 free-to-view encrypted channels...
scheme or an inactive former Sky card. All active Sky cards get the channels that are part of their subscription package. A Sky decoder box is required due to the lack of VideoGuard Conditional Access Modules. The free-to-view system offered by BSkyB was initially designed to offer the UK's 5 terrestrial broadcasters to viewers who did not want a subscription package.
Channels
Several standard definition satellite channels are currently only available free-to-view- Channel 5 HD (Sky+ HD or Sky HD box is required)
- LFC TVLFC TVLFC TV is the dedicated official channel for English football club Liverpool Football Club which launched on 20 September 2007...
- Motors TVMotors TVMotors TV is a television channel dedicated to news, documentaries and coverage of motorsport and automobiles, and to a lesser extent motorbikes, boats, aircraft and models. It is available in many countries via satellite and cable, with audio in English, French, German and Serbian...
- Pick TV
- Pick TV +1
- Sony Entertainment TelevisionSony Entertainment Television (UK & Ireland)Sony Entertainment Television is a general entertainment channel in the United Kingdom and Ireland from Sony Pictures Television , which launched on 7 April 2011.-History:...
- Sony Entertainment Television +1Sony Entertainment Television (UK & Ireland)Sony Entertainment Television is a general entertainment channel in the United Kingdom and Ireland from Sony Pictures Television , which launched on 7 April 2011.-History:...
- VivaViva (UK & Ireland)Viva is a music video and entertainment channel in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The channel was officially launched on 26 October 2009 by Alexandra Burke, with an exclusive live performance of her single "Bad Boys". The channel replaced TMF. The channel is owned by MTV Networks Europe and was...
In addition, certain versions/regions of ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
, ITV1+1 and ITV1 HD are free-to-view, while others are free-to-air.
Former channels
The BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's eight digital channels - including BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
and BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
, were encrypted under the scheme from their launch on digital satellite until July 14, 2003, when they became free-to-air. Shortly after this, ITV stated its intentions to go free-to-air eventually, and launched their newest channel, ITV3
ITV3
ITV3 is an entertainment television channel in the United Kingdom that is owned by ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. The channel was launched on 1 November 2004. ITV3 is the second largest UK multi-channel, second only to ITV2.-History:...
, in the clear on November 1, 2004. This was followed up by ITV moving its Men & Motors
Men & Motors
Men & Motors was a men's lifestyle television channel in the UK. It was the last remaining station operated by the former Granada Sky Broadcasting joint venture, set up by Granada Television and satellite broadcaster British Sky Broadcasting in 1996...
channel to FTA in July 2005. This gradual conversion was completed on November 1, 2005, with ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
and ITV2
ITV2
ITV2 is a 24 hour, free-to-air entertainment television channel in the United Kingdom owned by ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It was launched on 7 December 1998, and is available on digital television via satellite, cable, IPTV and terrestrial platforms. The channel has the...
going FTA. The ITV's latest channel, ITV4
ITV4
ITV4 is a British television station which was launched on 1 November 2005. It is owned by ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc, and is part of the ITV network. The channel has a male-oriented line-up, including sport, cop shows and US comedies and dramas, as well as classic ITV action...
, was launched at the same time, also as a free-to-air service. All the BBC and ITV channels therefore can be viewed by any suitable receiver, and do not need any registration with BSkyB. However as of June 2008 some ITV1 regions were encrypted again due to one of their narrow beam transponder agreements ending. In April 2011 High definition Channel 4 HD moved from being a free-to-view channel to a free-to-air channel (when moving to a transponder on Eurobird 12607 V 27.5 3/4). On 1 December 2011, 5USA, 5USA +1, 5*, 5* +1 became free-to-air after moving to Astra 1N
Astra 1N
Astra 1N is a communications satellite owned and operated by SES Astra, launched in 2011 to join Astra 2A, Astra 2B Astra 2D at the Astra 28.2°E orbital slot...
.
Free-to-view schemes outside the UK
Outside the UK, other public-service broadcasters, for example those of SwitzerlandSwitzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
(ORF
ORF
ORF may refer to:* ORF , the Austrian public service broadcaster.* Open reading frame, a portion of the genome.* The IATA airport code for Norfolk International Airport in Norfolk, Virginia.* ORF format , Olympus raw image file format....
) and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
(NPO via CanalDigitaal) run a similar scheme using different encryption methods.
In Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, the Optus Aurora
Optus Aurora
Optus Aurora is a free-to-view satellite television platform in Australia, aimed at providing television and radio services to remote and black spot areas using the Optus C1 and B3 satellites...
service is available for those who can not receive a satisfactory terrestrial signal. A one-off purchase of an Irdeto
Irdeto
Irdeto B.V. is a global software security and media technology company with dual headquarters in Hoofddorp, Netherlands and Beijing, China. It is a subsidiary of multinational media group Naspers...
access card is required.
In Russia, Tricolor TV
Tricolor TV
Tricolor TV the biggest Russian satellite television operator. It broadcasts a pack of TV channels in the European part of Russia and most of Siberian, Ural and Far East regions. Broadcasting in the European part has been held since December 2005 from esv Eutelsat W4...
is a popular satellite TV service partly operating within the free-to-view model.
See also
- Common InterfaceCommon InterfaceIn Digital Video Broadcasting, the Common Interface is an extensible digital interconnect found in the digital TV market. It is also known as DVB-CI for Digital Video Broadcast Common Interface....
- FreesatFreesatFreesat is a free-to-air digital satellite television joint venture between the BBC and ITV plc, serving the United Kingdom. The service was formed as a memorandum in 2007 and has been marketed since 6 May 2008...