Freesat, Freeview - why such a different range of channels?

[pikey]

Had Freeview for a while. Now also have Freesat.

I'm not so surprised at how many extra channels there are on the FreeSat, but I am at how many are missing compared with Freeview.

Why so different? I thought both were free-to-air services, so shouldn't they be the same, or the Sat at least carry all the Freeview channels?

[telecat]

Some of the channels On Freeview also have deals with SKY that preclude them going onto FREESAT. Others are on Cable platforms with similar deals.

[cjs]

Different platforms. The only channels all the broadcast platforms have to carry Free are the BBC/ITV/C4/C5 channels. All other FTA channels are down to agreements and exclusivity rights. Sky will not allow their channels on the new Freesat service however they do have them on their own 'Freesat from Sky' service.

The only way to guarantee reception of all FTA channels is to have all three services.

[Pupp]

Not checked it out at all on the box but have recently read that there is a 'hidden' menu on some Freesat receivers that can enable other non-platform FTA channels to be brought up too?

[telecat]

Pupp said:

Not checked it out at all on the box but have recently read that there is a 'hidden' menu on some Freesat receivers that can enable other non-platform FTA channels to be brought up too?

There is an option on HUMAX Freesat receivers that allows you to view any FTA service from the Satellite location. It basically "unlocks" the STB from just showing the FREESAT Menu.