The BBC and ITV have formed a unique partnership to launch a new, free, digital satellite television service called Freesat.

The platform will offer high definition (HD) services from the BBC and ITV plus over 80 free digital channels – television, radio, interactive. It is hoped this will grow to 200 by the end of the year.

The initial channel line-up includes some of the most popular digital TV channels: BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three and BBC Four; ITV1, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4; Channel 4, E4, More4 and Film4.

News channels include BBC News and Al-Jazeera English; with additional children's and music channels and digital radio.

With no subscription or contract needed and just a one-off payment for equipment, Freesat hopes to lure customers to its services. Available from June, box prices will start from £49, with a high definition box available from £120, plus installation costs from around £80.

The move has been taken as younger viewers turn from watching TV by conventional means, opting instead for online platforms.

Managing Director of Freesat, Emma Scott, said: " With more than 9.6 million HD-ready televisions already sold in the UK, but only a tiny fraction of those who own them currently able to receive HD programmes, there's a big opportunity for Freesat to lead the way in introducing the UK to high definition viewing."

Michael Grade, Executive Chairman, ITV plc, added that the launch of Freesat was the “final piece in the digital jigsaw “ and promised an unrivalled line-up of premium football.

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