Editing Free-to-view

{{Short description|Free-of-charge but encrypted audiovisual transmissions}}
{{distinguish|Free-to-air|Freeview (disambiguation){{!}}Freeview}}
{{Globalize|1=article|2=European|date=February 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
'''Free-to-view''' ('''FTV''') is a term used for audiovisual transmissions that are provided free without any form of continual subscription.<ref>"A-Z of Satellite TV: F" ''What Satellite & Digital TV'' October 2012 pp37</ref> It differs from [[free-to-air]] (FTA) in that the program is [[encrypted]].

==Free-to-view vs. free-to-air==
The free-to-view system contrasts with [[free-to-air]] (FTA), in which signals are transmitted in the clear, without [[encryption]], and can be received by anyone with a suitable receiving [[satellite dish|dish]] antenna and [[Digital Video Broadcasting|DVB]]-compliant receiver (although these services can include proprietary encrypted data services such as an [[electronic program guide|EPG]] that is only available to reception equipment made for, or authorised by, the FTA broadcaster). Free-to-view services are broadcast encrypted and can only be viewed with reception equipment that includes a suitable [[conditional-access module]] and viewing card, in the same way as a [[pay-TV]] satellite service. However, the FTV service viewing card is not subject to a continuing subscription payment for viewing the service's channels and may be available for a regular fee, a one-off payment or even for free.{{citation needed|date=December 2014}}

Services which charge a regular fee for reception can still be considered free-to-view, and not [[pay-TV]] if the fee is not for the programming content but for the delivery. {{Disputed inline|date=January 2015}}  For example, the HD+ service in Germany, which broadcasts [[High-definition television|HD]] versions of channels which are also available free-to-air in standard definition, defended its service fee saying it "is related to the reception of the offer and not to specific content, parts or packages of the offer".<ref>Briel, Robert [http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2009/09/10/kayser-give-details-about-hd-platform/''Kayser rebuffs critics of HD+ platform''] ''Broadband TV News''  10 September 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2014</ref>

==Commercial restrictions and targeting==
The free-to-view system allows for restricting access based on location of the viewer. For example, in the UK prior to the launch of [[Astra 2D]], UK channels broadcasting from the [[Astra 28.2°E]] satellites used a wide beam and could be received across Europe on small dishes. Those channels which were non-subscription but aimed at the UK only, or restricted from broadcasting outside the UK by way of programme rights (such as [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]]) or governance (such as the [[BBC]] channels), were broadcast encrypted using [[Videoguard]] (as used by [[Sky (United Kingdom)|Sky (UK)]] for its pay-TV services) with viewing cards made available to UK residents only.<ref>Bains, Geoff. "Flight of the Big Birds" ''What Satellite & Digital TV'' February 2012 pp29</ref>

The launch of Astra 2D with a broadcast beam narrowly aimed only at the UK and Ireland enabled UK channels to switch from broadcasting free-to-view to free-to-air, while maintaining their UK exclusivity. The decline of UK free-to-view in favour of narrow-beamed free-to-air has been gradual:

*The BBC's eight digital channels were encrypted under the scheme from their launch on digital satellite until 14 July 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 1 November 2004.
*This was followed up by ITV moving its [[Men & Motors]] channel to FTA in July 2005.
*This gradual conversion was completed on 1 November 2005, with [[ITV1]] and [[ITV2]] going FTA. ITV's latest channel, [[ITV4]], was launched at the same time, also as a free-to-air service. All the BBC and ITV channels at this time could be viewed FTA without any subscription or purchase from Sky.
*However, in June 2008, some ITV regional channels 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).
*1 December 2011, [[5USA]], 5USA+1, [[5*]] and 5*+1 became free-to-air after moving to [[Astra 1N]].
*6 June 2012, [[Pick TV]] and Pick TV +1 became free-to-air.
*During October 2012, the final free-to-view regions of [[ITV1]], ITV1 +1 and [[ITV1 HD]] became free-to-air.
*25 March 2013, [[Viva (UK & Ireland)|Viva]] went free-to-air.
*28 October 2013, Channel 5 HD switched from free-to-view became a subscription channel on the Sky digital satellite platform and is no longer a channel.
*[[LFC TV]] switched from free-to-view to Sky subscription only.
*7 February 2017, [[4Music]] became free-to-air, although it reverted to being free-to-view on 12 December 2018, but later became free-to-air again on 1 February 2022.

The remaining channel aimed exclusively at the UK that use the [[Astra (satellite)|Astra]] satellites at 28.2°E with a Europe-wide beam and remain free-to-view and encrypted is regions [[STV (TV channel)|STV HD]] ([[Dundee]] & [[Edinburgh]]), [[Local TV Limited|London TV]] and they can be viewed with a Sky Videoguard receiver and a Sky viewing card, either an inactive former Sky pay-TV card or one for the [[Freesat from Sky]] package, bought for a one-off fee.<ref>[http://www.sky.com/shop/freesat/home/what-can-i-watch/ List of Freesat from Sky channels]. Retrieved 30 November 2014</ref>

==Free-to-view networks==
{{More citations needed|section|date=July 2024}}
*[[Freesat]] from Sky

A UK satellite service from Sky (UK) offering 240 free-to-air and free-to-view TV channels and the Sky EPG, with a one-off payment for a Sky receiver, dish, installation and viewing card.<ref>{{cite web  | publisher = Freesat UK  | title = About us - Freesat  | url = https://www.freesat.co.uk/about | access-date = 27 July 2024  }}</ref>

*[[HD+]]{{disputed inline|date=January 2015}}
A package of 21 high definition digital satellite TV channels for German-speaking viewers and a subsidiary company of satellite owner [[SES (company)|SES]], with a monthly or annual fee for the viewing card.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

*[[Viewer Access Satellite Television]]
Australian satellite television platform providing digital TV and radio services to remote and rural areas, and terrestrial black spots. VAST is partly funded by the Australian Government and requires a certified set-top box and viewing card.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

*Fransat
A package of mostly HD channels broadcast to residents of France who cannot receive the digital terrestrial TV channels. Can be received all over Europe on Eutelsat 5WA, historical position for French free TV. Viewing card does not expire.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FRANSAT - TV, TNT par satellite : toutes nos offres |url=https://www.fransat.fr/ |access-date=2024-07-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713033943/https://www.fransat.fr/ |archive-date=2024-07-13 |url-status=live |website=www.fransat.fr |language=fr}}</ref>

*[[Tivùsat]]
Italian package of 68 free-to-air and free-to-view satellite channels for viewers unable to receive them on national terrestrial TV networks. Requires a [[Nagravision]] receiver and viewing card.<ref>{{Cite web |title= What tivùsat is |url=https://www.tivusat.tv/eng/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=www.tivusat.tv}}</ref>

*TNTSAT
Same as Fransat, TNTSAT broadcasts the all-HD channels from French free digital terrestrial television. TNTSAT is issued by Canal + group on its main position, Astra 1. Viewing card has to be renewed every 4 years. TNTSAT compatible equipment is also compatible with CANALSAT pay TV.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

*[[Tricolor TV]]
Russian satellite TV service partly operating within the free-to-view model.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

*SAT HD Regional
A Brazilian satellite TV service from [[Grupo Globo]] and [[Embratel]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=SATHD |url=https://redeglobo.globo.com/sathd/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727130328/https://redeglobo.globo.com/sathd/ |archive-date=2024-07-27 |url-status=live |website=redeglobo.globo.com |language=pt-br}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.embratel.com.br/sat-hd-regional|title=SAT HD Regional imagem em alta definição na sua TV, pela parabólica|access-date=2024-12-20|website=Embratel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220063255/https://www.embratel.com.br/sat-hd-regional|archive-date=2024-12-20|url-status=live|language=pt-br}}</ref> Can be received all over Brazil on Star One D2.

*Nova Parabólica
A Brazilian satellite TV service from [[SKY Brasil]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nova Parabólica |url=https://www.novaparabolica.com.br/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526001225/https://www.novaparabolica.com.br/ |archive-date=2024-05-26 |url-status=live |website=www.novaparabolica.com.br |language=pt-br}}</ref> Can be received all over Brazil on Sky Brasil-1 (also called Intelsat 32e).

*MagicTV
A Chilean satellite TV service from Ríos y Compañía SpA..<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quienes somos |url=https://magictv.cl/?page_id=5686 |access-date=2024-07-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001092356/https://magictv.cl/?page_id=5686 |archive-date=2023-10-01 |url-status=live |website=magictv.cl |language=es}}</ref> Can be received all over Chile on Hispasat 74W-1.

*TDT Complementar
Portuguese satellite TV service from [[MEO (telecommunication company)|MEO]] for viewers unable to receive them on national terrestrial TV networks. Requires a [[Nagravision]] receiver and viewing card.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tdt.telecom.pt/suporte|title=Informação de suporte|access-date=2024-12-20|website=tdt.telecom.pt|language=pt-pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.anacom-consumidor.pt/faq-tdt|title=Como aceder à TDT|access-date=2024-12-20|website=anacom-consumidor.pt|language=pt-pt}}</ref> Can be received all over Portugal on Hispasat 30W-5 (also called Hispasat 1E).

==See also==
*[[Free TV Alliance]] – European organisation promoting free-to-air and free-to-view TV

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.lyngsat.com/freetv/index.html Free-to-view satellite television channels]
*[http://www.lyngsat.com/freeradio/index.html Free-to-listen satellite radio stations]

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[[Category:Television terminology]]