British TV viewers will from today be able to watch satellite broadcasts for free after the long-awaited launch of Freesat.

A joint venture by the BBC and ITV, Freesat is to be available to 98% of British households and will offer a path to digital TV for those who currently cannot access Freeview.

“It’s only homes that really don’t have a clear line of sight to the satellite that can’t get it, or certain listed buildings,” Freesat’s Emma Scott told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“But unlike Freeview, you can receive Freesat across the country, which means that in those areas that at the moment can’t get access to free digital television this is the first time that you can get free digital TV.”

Those who sign up to Freesat will need to pay for the installation of a satellite dish as well as a digital box, but after that the service will not incur a charge.

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Freesat enables viewers to watch high-definition (HD) shows if they have a HD-ready TV set.

Currently over 80 TV and radio channels can be accessed through Freesat, but this is expected to more than double by the end of the year.

High street retailers like Comet, Currys, John Lewis and Argos will sell Freesat, while homes which already have satellite dishes may be able to use these to receive the new service.