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| Freeview 'overtakes Sky Digital' | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Freeview is now the most popular way to watch multi-channel TV in the UK, according to the digital service. | Freeview is now the most popular way to watch multi-channel TV in the UK, according to the digital service. |
| Freeview is now used in 11 million UK homes, the company estimates. | Freeview is now used in 11 million UK homes, the company estimates. |
| Its biggest rival, Sky Digital, has 8.4 million subscribers but this also includes the Republic of Ireland. Freeview is not available there. | Its biggest rival, Sky Digital, has 8.4 million subscribers but this also includes the Republic of Ireland. Freeview is not available there. |
| A Sky spokesman said that during the most recent quarter, the company had attracted the highest number of new customers in six years. | A Sky spokesman said that during the most recent quarter, the company had attracted the highest number of new customers in six years. |
| He added that fears there would not be enough room for both providers in the market had not been realised. | He added that fears there would not be enough room for both providers in the market had not been realised. |
| Rival services | Rival services |
| Freeview, which offers viewers TV via an aerial for a one-off initial fee, launched in October 2002. Sky Digital is a satellite pay monthly service but it offers more channels. | |
| Cable provider Virgin Media has about 5 million customers for its TV services. | Cable provider Virgin Media has about 5 million customers for its TV services. |
| Freeview has also announced the launch of Freeview Playback, a digital recorder intended to replace video recorders which will become defunct when the analogue signal is switched off in 2012. | Freeview has also announced the launch of Freeview Playback, a digital recorder intended to replace video recorders which will become defunct when the analogue signal is switched off in 2012. |
| Its rival SkyPlus is already in 2 million households. | Its rival SkyPlus is already in 2 million households. |
| Freeview said its Playback service could be in over 10 million homes by 2012. | Freeview said its Playback service could be in over 10 million homes by 2012. |