Are you confused about British television on the Costa Blanca? What is Freesat and Freeview? Can I watch British television on the Costa Blanca? What size satellite dish do I require? Why can I no longer receive Channel 4 in the evenings?

These are just some of the many questions regarding the reception of British satellite television in Spain, and it is no wonder why people can get confused. The Sat and PC Guy has been installing and maintaining satellite television services on the Costa Blanca North for many years and is here to assist.

We are able to supply and install a variety of dishes, from 80cm to 2.4meter dishes, depending on your requirements. We are able to supply and install digital satellite receivers, from Sky Digiboxes and the award winning Sky+ Digital Recorder, to Freesat, High Definition (HD) and generic receivers.

As long as you have the required size satellite dish and digital satellite receiver you can you can watch BBC, ITV C4, and many other FREE satellite channels in Spain legally. It is not illegal to watch free TV channels. Reception of the main UK channels is dependent on depending on your location and the size of satellite dish; normally a 1.8 or a 2.4 meter dish will be required. A smaller dish can also be but will reduce the amount of channels available to you.

As from 4^th August, Channel 4 has changed frequencies in preparation for when it goes free – you will be able to view C4 without a Sky subscription of FTV card. However, this changing of frequency has mean that C4 will only be available for the same time as BBC2, for the Costa Blanca North, approx 5am to 6pm.

It is worth noting that re-broadcaster / microwave services rebroadcast channels illegally and without the provider’s consent, many services have experienced many problems in the last few months, with clients being left without the channels they were promised, and as the signal that is used is relayed by many transmitters, you may be getting a third or fourth generation signal. With these systems you pay for channels that are available with your own satellite system for free and of higher digital quality direct from the satellite.

In-fact you may have heard that recently many rebroadcasters have reduced the number of channels available, removing premium channels like Sky Sports, due to complications with licensing. This has caused demand for satellite dishes and installations to rocket, and has affected the availability of satellite dishes.

Freesat was launched in May 2008 to assist with the digital changeover in the UK, to ensure that when the analogue TV signal are switch off, every household has access to digital TV, either by satellite (Freesat) or TV aerial (Freeview). A Freesat receiver differs from a Sky Digibox, in that it has no method of receiving encrypted subscription services, such as Sky Sports or UK Gold.

With the Freesat HD receiver, you can start to watch subscription free HD channels, like BBCHD and ITVHD, for approximately 250 Euros. Or with a Sky+HD receiver and subscription you can currently receive up to 19 HD channels and Sky have said that they are planning to have about 30 by the end of the year.

Before you consider buying a Freesat receiver it may be worth telling you that towards December Freesat will launch their Personal Video Recorder (PVR – built in hard disk for recording) allowing you to pause Live TV, or watch one channel and record another, currently only available with a Sky subscription and a Sky+ or SkyHD Digibox.

Television Digital Terrestre (TDT) is the Spanish equivalent of the UK’s Freeview service. It provides approximately 30 digital television channels, now including the Disney Channel, for free via your TV aerial. In most cases you can watch the channels with their original audio, excellent for movies or American or British series. Most new LCD or Plasma TV’s now come with TDT incorporated; otherwise you will require a TDT receiver – yes another remote control! You cannot receive BBC or any UK TV channels by using a UK Freeview receiver in Spain, A UK Freeview receiver may work in Spain, with some limitations.

Whether you require a satellite system installing, your existing system upgraded or serviced, or more information contact The Sat and PC Guy on 96 281 9796 / 620 130 292 or visit www.satandpcguy.com .