Farron welcomes BBC Freesat decision

11.01.24am GMT Fri 9th Mar 2007

Local MP, Tim Farron has today tabled a parliamentary motion supporting the decision of the BBC Trust to provisionally approve a 'Freesat' service. Freesat will enable those who have difficulty receiving a digital freeview signal to get the free channels available through digital television.

Mr Farron also attended the All Party Parliamentary Group on Digital TV Switchover meeting this afternoon which will give other MPs the opportunity to support the EDM.

Freesat users will be able to receive the same quality signal as freeview viewers, and will not have to pay a monthly subscription, as you would have to with a Sky television package. The Early Day Motion tabled by Tim and supported by several other Liberal Democrat MPs also urges ITV and Channels 4 and 5 to join with the BBC in providing their channels on Freesat.

After the decision, Tim Farron said:

"There are a lot of people in my constituency who have trouble receiving a freeview signal, so the decision by the BBC Trust to provide a Freesat service will come as music to their ears.

"I think it is important that ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 also provide their channels for Freesat, so that the largest possible number of people can benefit from Freesat."