iPlayer comes to Freesat.....

 Freesat is to launch the BBC iPlayer at least this December. From tomorrow (7th December 2009), the BBC's VOD service will launch in Beta, allowing selected users to catch-up on EastEnders et al using a special access code. Users will initially be able to access the BBC iPlayer beta service by pressing the red button to get to the BBCi menu.

It's hoped that by Christmas, the service will open up to the wider Freesat-watching public.

Interestingly, only a standard-def implementation will be available. According to Freesat, slow broadband speeds in the UK preclude HD. Indeed, it warns: 'Viewers will need an actual broadband speed of 1Mbps to watch BBC iPlayer or 2Mbps to watch in high quality.'

And there's more to come: Freesat is promising that the rival ITV Player will go live 'during the first half of 2010.'

Emma Scott, Freesat's managing director, says: 'We're 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 be no need to buy any new receivers.'

Once again the BBC´s iplayer is proving to be the way of choice for watching our favorite TV programs, with other broadcasting compaines playing catch up. We soon will all be our own personal "director of programming", deciding what we watch and when.......