Updated: Sky responds to Freesat launch

It is "difficult to see what difference Freesat makes or why the BBC needs to spend public money on it", according to Sky.

The BBC and ITV are today launching the subscription-free satellite service which they have developed and funded.

Sky - which dominates the delivery of TV via satellite in the UK - has issued comments which also question why ITV's high definition channel should be exclusive to Freesat.

Freesat is the first high-profile alternative satellite service to be available in the UK for more than a decade. Sky currently offers 18 HD channels, but ITV HD will be a unique selling point for the new rival.

Sky has questioned why the BBC needs to spend money on developing Freesat when its own subscription-free service, called Freesat from Sky, has been available since 2004.

A standard definition Freesat from Sky set-top box costs £150 including installation - which is roughly on a par with the launch prices for Freesat. A high definition Freesat from Sky box, which costs more, allows viewers to watch BBC HD and Channel 4 HD.

Sky has also confirmed it will continue to use the name Freesat from Sky, despite similarity to the new service.

"We're all for customer choice but it's difficult to see what difference Freesat makes or why the BBC needs to spend public money on it," said a Sky spokesman.

"Our own Freesat service has been available since 2004 and offers all of the BBC and ITV channels plus around 200 others."

On the subject of ITV HD, the spokesman added: "The BBC and Channel 4 already offer free HD channels on the Sky platform.

"It would be a strange decision and disappointing for viewers if ITV chooses not to make its service available to 450,000 HD-enabled households."