SAORVIEW is Ireland’s first free digital television service. It brings you all your favourite Irish channels,
crystal clear pictures, better quality sound, on-screen programme menus and digital teletext – all for free.
SAORVIEW is a digital terrestrial television (DTT) service which means the signal is broadcast from transmission masts across the country and is received through a standard TV aerial paired with either a set-top-box or a new integrated digital television (iDTV).
SAORVIEW is owned and managed by RTÉ. It will carry both RTÉ and non-RTÉ channels and services. The infrastructure required to transmit the SAORVIEW service was constructed and is operated by RTÉNL (a wholly owned subsidiary of RTÉ).
Digital television has been available as a satellite subscription service across the country and as a cable subscription services in certain parts of the country for a number of years.
These services are what are often described as ‘Pay TV’ services which typically require an initial set up cost and monthly payment.
SAORVIEW is Ireland’s first free (free-to-air) national digital television service. This means that for most people after an initial purchase of either a set-top-box receiver or a new integrated digital television (iDTV) with a built in receiver, there are no further costs associated with the service – no contracts and no monthly bills.
The SAORVIEW service is being rolled out in stages. The service is
currently operating as a trial service and is accessible to more than
90% of the population.
By the end of the trial period in May 2011 SAORVIEW will be accessible to 97% of the population.
By October 2012 SAORVIEW will be accessible to 98% of the population.