• Series recording – to automatically record all the episodes of your favourite shows
• Radio recording – never miss your favourite radio shows by recording individual shows, or even series record
• Live pause and instant rewind – in case you need to answer the phone or replay that crucial scene
• Schedule tracking – so recordings start and finish on time, even when broadcasters change their schedule
• Split recordings - to record two-part programmes that may have a break in the middle for a news bulletin, such as films

• Advanced digital text and interactive services
• HDMI slot for transmission of amazing high definition pictures and surround sound audio to an HD-ready TV
• Low power consumption – less than 1watt in standby mode and an automatic standby function, so the box shifts to standby mode if inactive
• Parental controls – access codes prevent children watching inappropriate content
• Audio description services for the blind or visually impaired and one-touch subtitles
• Two scart sockets for connecting other equipment such as a DVD recorder
• Dolby digital audio output
• Connecting leads and controls including HDMI cable, scart cable, remote control and batteries included

News Update – 17 October 2008

FREESAT HUMAX SOUND PROBLEMS: Since the software update from 1.00.13 to 1.00.15 a number of Humax HD customers have noticed a return of the lip-sync issue, most obvious on BBC HD. In Humax have said,

“Over the past 1-2 weeks a number of customers have reported Lip-sync issues on the BBC HD channel. Software version 1.00.13 has addressed the lip-sync issues with the BBC HD channel and Dolby Digital 5.1 broadcasts and until recently we have not had any reports of syncing issues.

Version 1.00.15 has now been released, but this has not made any changes that would affect the syncing.

We have reported the issue to the BBC for investigation as we believe there may be some issues with the broadcasts playing out; as we have not made any changes that could affect the lip-sync.”

News Update – 17 October 2008

SKY CARDS:  After this year’s rumoured Sky card change was scrapped due to C4 and Five going free, it is anticipated that the Sky card change will be from April 2009. If your current Sky card is registered at your own UK address then you should receive the new card. In theory you should remove your old card and insert you new card into your Sky receiver to make the change over.

If your Sky viewing card is not registered at your own UK address then you may have problems in continuing to receive your Sky channels. Obviously demand for new cards, including Free To View will severely outstrip supply. This means that many people here in Spain will be without certain channels until the new cards are available, but I am sure that you will have to pay a premium price for them.

News Update – 17 October 2008

Five rumoured to be going free (no sky card required) on the 1st November 2008

News Update – 16 October 2008

PREMIER:  For all those who are getting the German Pay TV Premier service without paying but via patched receivers and inputting codes, you days are numbered. Premier has been deploying new encryption to their receivers and cards, and these encryptions have not yet been made “available” to patched receivers.

It is rumoured that the day of change is on the 30th October 2008.

News Update – 10 October 2008

BBC PRIME: BBC Prime is a BBC pay channels for expats. It does not show movies or sport, but just homegrown bbc programmes. Some generic receivers have been able to access BBC Prime by software that removes the encryption. Today, it appears that BBC Prime has moved to version Viaccess 2.6. Therefore for those who were watching BBC Prime without paying for it, your screen will have gone blank. You will need an official BBC Prime subscription card available from www.bbcprime.com.

News Update – 07 October 2008

UKTV: As per my updated on the 10th July 2008, UKTV are rebranding three of their channels.

“Watch” is a new channel, “UK Gold” will become “GOLD”, “UK Drama” will become “Alibi”

109 - Watch

110 - G.O.L.D.

111 - Dave

132 - Alibi

133 - G.O.L.D. +1

155 - Watch +1

158 - Dave +1

News Update – 29 September 2008

FREESAT: A statement from Freesat have said that they aim to have 200 channels by early 2009, Five will be on Freesat in the next few weeks, and that there will be an exclusive Freesat channel (presumed RTE, not official) expected by the end of the year.

News Update – 25 September 2008

FREESAT HD PVRS: The highly anticipated Freesat Humax PVRs with inbuilt hard disk drive is anticipated to be available from November 24th. An official statement from Humax will be made in early October, and will include the pricing details. Demand is expected to be high, so supply of these in Spain may be very very limited.

News Update – 24 September 2008

REBROADCASTING: http://www.guardiacivil.com/prensa/notas/win_noticia.jsp?idnoticia=2477 has an update and reasons for TM being raided – fraud and tax evasion.

News Update – 24 September 2008

More C4 changes – some of the “alternate” Irish channels have changed their frequencies...see http://www.satandpcguy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=22&p=54#p54 for updated C4, E4 and More4 frequencies.

News Update – 08 September 2008

C4+1 has completed its migration so that it is only available on 10729 – Astra 2d.  So apart from the “tton4”, you can only get C4 and C4+1 only if you have a big dish – or use the frequencies given on our Forum.

News Update – 05 September 2008

The C4 tagged as 8350 on 10729 V 22.0 5/6 is no longer available. This frequency is not primarily used for the C4+1 channels.

So at the moment you can only get C4 - tagged as TT on 4 - on 12.479 V 27.5 2/3 on a small dish...bet this will not last for long.

News Update – 02 September 2008

Six new test channels have appeared on the 10729 frequency. This is in preparation for the move of C4+1 from its current frequency, to this new frequency on Astra 2D. Therefore C4+1 will only be available to those with a big dish. If you can currently receive E4 and E4+1 then you will be able to receive C4+1, as E4 and E4+1 are also on this frequency. Again, this is in preparation for the C4+1 channels to join Freesat (channel 121), when you will not need a sky card to receive these channels as they will be broadcast for free.

News Update – 28 August 2008

Film4 (and Film4+1) has also changed frequency. It too has moved to the same frequency as Channel 4 (10714H), and therefore only available at the same times as C4 (in Costa Blanca North this is until approx 6pm). This could be in preparation for the C4+1 channels moving to 10729, meaning no more C4+1 on small dishes. Will keep you informed as usual.

News Update – 20 August 2008

Sky has announced that they will soon be launching seven new HD channels. Joining Sky Real Lives HD will be Sky Movies Action/Thriller HD, Sky Movies Sci-Fi Horror HD, Sky Movies Drama HD, Sky Movies Modern Greats HD, Sky Movies Family HD and Sky Movies Comedy HD. With the cost of the Sky HD services being £10 per month, an upgrade to HD for customers with the Movies service now looks very attractive. These new channels will bring the total number of HD, which already include BBC HD and C4HD services on the Sky system to 26.

News Update – 19 August 2008

The new music channel from Channel 4, 4Music, launched this week, available on Sky Channel 360 and presently requires a Sky card to view. It has not been made available on Freesat, as some sites claim, which must have something to do with how the C4 and Sky contract work....

News Update – 15 August 2008

The C4 tagged as C4LTest 1 on 12.168 V 27.5 2/3 is no longer available – it too has moved to the new C4 frequency on Astra 2D.

News Update – 12 August 2008

The Guardia today visited the offices of Telemicro, and arrested several people. The Telemicro rebroadcast service has been shut down. Other companies supplying this service may well be next.  Dont be one of the many disappointed customers with access to no UK TV service on the Coast Blanca.

 See http://www.algorfa.co.uk/PreviousNewsletters/Algorfa-news24.html#Algorfa673

Remember, if you own your own dish, you get the signals direct from the satellite, and can watch the FREE channels like BBC and ITV legally with NO subscription. All you need is a dish, and a receiver

Call 96 281 9796 or 620 130 292 if you want to discuss your options regarding a satellite dish and UK TV!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON REBROADCASTERS

News Update – 12 August 2008

Channel 4 is now FREE TO AIR – you no longer require a Sky FTV or subscription card to view C4.

News Update – 7 August 2008

More4+1 and Film4+1 have also moved to the new C4 frequency, so these channels will not be available past 6pm. I would not be surprised if Film4 itself moved later today.

News Update – 4 August 2008

Channel 4:  As per my previous posts, it appears that the C4 migration to another frequency has taken place. This is bad news as it means that that C4 will only be available for the same hours as BBC2.  At the moment you still need a FTV card to view C4 on a Sky receiver – but the charts on this site have been updated in readiness for them to go FTA! But there are currently one or two C4’s available – but it is unknown for how long: Press Services, 4, 4 and add / store these channels.

C4 - tagged as 8350 on 10729 V 22.0 5/6  C4 - tagged as C4LTest 1 on 12.168 V 27.5 2/3       C4 - tagged as TT on 4 on 12.479 V 27.5 2/3

News Update – 1 August 2008

Sky HD: A Sky executive has announced that their ill be about 30 HD channels available on their service by the end of 2009. They currently have 19 channels, so expect about another 10 channels. However, also expect that some of these new HD channels will be Free To Air and may also be available of Freesat HD receivers. There is no indication as to what the new HD channels will be.

News Update – 24 July 2008

FREESAT: Five are almost ready to join Freesat, with a launch date coming soon, reports several websites. It is unknown at the moment what frequency the channel will be broadcast on so I cannot comment yet on its availability here on the CBN. Bearing in mind that the delay was due to “broadcast rights issues” it is likely that this Freesat version of Five will be broadcast from the Astra 2D satellite, limiting its availability across Europe (and thus only available on a big dish) to keep the programme makes happy. Five US and Fiver are still not scheduled to join the main Five channel on Freesat, and you will still need a Sky receiver and a Sky card (FTV or subscription) to view these.

News Update – 22 July 2008

FREESAT: Its been announced today that 18 new channels will be launched on the Freesat service with the first set of new channels launching on 24 July, including  Zone Reality, Zone Horror and a few shopping channels, and then in the first week of August 8 radio stations will be added.

News Update – 19 July 2008

ITV HD: ITV HD, currently a red button service exclusive to Freesat HD receivers, embarrassingly suffered technical problems on one of its flagship HD dramas this week. A new drama called Harley Street has been billed as ITVs first major HD programme investment, but many viewers were left without an option to view this in HD. This is because of problems with some the newly added ITV regions, where the HD option was not available on many of these new regions. Other viewers who could receive the broadcasts experienced various qualities of sound and picture. That’s my anti ITV HD Freesat Red button service rant over. Why not just make it a full time HD channels like Channel 4 have done, and on a much smaller budget than ITV!

News Update – 19 July 2008

FREESAT: The Freesat Humax PVR (hard disk recorder) has been delayed and “will be available suitably in advance of the Christmas 2008 season”. This is so that further testing of the system can be completed to try and stop some of the issues that have affected their HD boxes like sound synchronisation problems.

News Update – 15 July 2008

NEW HD CHANNEL: Eurosport HD is available today for those with a Sky HD subscription. It is on channel 412.

News Update – 15 July 2008

CHANNEL 4 FREQUENCY CHANGES: With reference to my post on the 7th July, there are now some regional versions of C4 on the frequency 10714H, which ITV has recently left. These variations are used for regional C4 advertising for Freesat receivers only – at the moment. If you have a Freesat receivers, then depending on the postcode you input on initial boot, will determine which C4 regional variation you will look at. You could be losing C4 on a Freesat receiver from approximately 6pm (same times as BBC2) even with a 2.4m dish!! At the moment one C4 regional variant – London region I think – is available on a big dish (same times as Film4), but this may also go. If / when C4’s Sky encryption contract ends, it is possible that a Sky receiver will also use these frequencies and also lose C4 at 6pm. From what I have been able to gather C4+1 is currently not affected.

News Update – 10 July 2008

CHANNEL REBRAND: UKTV will be rebranding their channels in the coming months, due to the success of the rebrand of UKG2 to Dave. UKTV Gold will be knows as Gold and will focus on comedy, UKTV Drama will be known as Alibi and focus on crime, and they will launch a new subscription only entertainment channel to be called Watch, with the new Richard and Judy show!!

News Update – 10 July 2008

SKY SUBSCRIPTION: Sky will be doing its annual price review (read price increase in most cases) from September which tend to be in line with inflation.. If I have understood the changes correctly then the Entertainment Mixes will go up by £1 per month, the standalone Sports Mix will go up by £2 per month, the price of the standalone Movies Mix will not change, the price of the Sports and Movies Mixes combination will increase by £2.  Bear in mind that Setanta upped their prices by about 30% earlier this year.

News Update – 7 July 2008

CHANNEL 4 FREQUENCY CHANGES: With reference to my post on the 26th June 2008, it could soon be bad news with regards to Channel 4 on the Costa Blanca. According to some frequency websites there are currently some test transmissions for Channel 4 on the frequency recently vacated by ITV. This frequency has a reception similar to BBC2, so the worst case scenario is that no C4 in the late afternoon / evening or night on the Costa Blanca even with a big dish!!! I dare say this is in readiness for C4 , C4+1 and C4HD to go Free To Air (without a Sky or FTV card) and puts to rest those people that said (and advertised!) Freesat channels would be available on a small dish!!! I must stress that these are just test transmissions and there is nothing official about a change in the C4 frequency and availability at the moment, but I will let you know any news as soon as I know.

News Update – 5 July 2008

An article from Reuters which makes interesting reading, which rumourmongers here in Spain have taken to mean that UK Sky will be made available in Spain. If it does go ahead it will not mean that UK Sky channels will be available in Spain, more likely it will mean a simple rebrand of Digital+ to Sky Espania, with little change in their current channel line up. It is Sky’s owner, News Corp that will possibly buy Digital+, not Sky. Don’t forget most of the channels, films and sports on Sky are already available on Digital+ many with an alternate (ie English) soundtrack.

LONDON/MADRID (Reuters) - British pay-TV firm BSkyB is considering a bid of more than 2.5 billion euros ($4 billion) for Spanish pay-TV platform Digital+, the Financial Times said on Friday. The newspaper quoted people familiar with the situation as saying there had been no decision to proceed, but that BSkyB's strong cash flow could allow it to finance an acquisitions. Prisa, which has media interests ranging from top-selling newspaper El Pais, Latin American radio stations and publishing, said interest in Digital+ from BSkyB's parent company News Corp was well known. "It's a fact that News Corporation are interested in taking part in an auction or bidding contest in the event it is put up for sale," a Prisa spokeswoman said, before adding: "We still haven't taken a decision. It is a possibility (Prisa will sell Digital+)." Prisa is studying the sale of some or all of its pay-TV businesses in a wide-ranging review of the audio-visual arm to cut debt that analysts estimate at 4-5 billion euros which swelled after it acquired the remainder of subsidiary Sogecable. On June 20, it said it had won a month's extension on a 4 billion euro bridging loan as it tries to refinance the debt. BSkyB declined to comment on the FT's report. Analysts were sceptical that a bid would materialize, estimating that BSkyB is unlikely to take on the level of debt needed to complete the acquisition. "Sky bidding for Digital+ would be a negative. It doesn't have sufficient debt capacity to afford it," Credit Suisse analyst Simon Baker wrote in a research note. BSkyB shares were 2.6 percent lower at 446.25 pence by 1212 GMT (8:12 a.m. EDT) while shares in Spanish media group Prisa , Digital Plus's parent company, were up 2.4 percent at 6.72 euros. According to the Financial Times, Spanish groups Telefonica and ONO, France's Vivendi and France Telecom's Orange unit were also likely to be interested in buying Digital+.

News Update – 5 July 2008

Another crackdown on microwave / mesh distributed TV systems?

“Police in Spain said Friday they had detained 85 people across the country in a crackdown on subscription TV fraud."The fraud against the legitimate owners of the television rights was in the tens of millions of euros," a police statement said. Accused of telecommunications fraud and crimes against intellectual property, they include hotel managers and housing associations. Some of those detained are suspected of operating networks which distributed pirated cable television signals to thousands of subscribers for profit. Police seized 115 decoders which were used to receive and distribute cable television signals fraudulently, and found several locations which were used to broadcast pirated television signals. Also taken down were various networks that transmitted the TV signal via WiFi to thousands of subscribers. Spain's secretary of state for security, Antonio Camacho, told reporters the operations relected "a very serious effort" on the part of the authorities to tackle intellectual property fraud.” (source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/25532159/for/cnbc)

News Update – 4 July 2008

ADDITIONAL CHANNEL FREQUENCIES: Some Sky receivers have been losing the channels that have been manually stored in “Other Channels”. This appears to only happen when the mains power is turned off. Should this happen here is how to add the channels again,.

Services, System Setup, Add Channels.

ITV Channel Islands – 10905 V 22.0 5/6

ITV - 12402, V, 27500, 2/3

C4 - 10729 V 22 5/6

Press Yellow against the required channels to store and press Select.

News Update – 26 June 2008

ITV FREQUENCY CHANGES: ITV have finally removed their channels from their “lost” Astra 2d transponder / frequency. We are all waiting with anticipation as to what channels will replace them. Bearing in mind that this frequency is very had to receive on the Costa Blanca during the evening – even on a 2.4m dish, let’s hope that it is not a Channel 4 or FIVE!

News Update – 24 June 2008

ITV FREQUENCY CHANGES: You can now receive ITV on a small dish, with and without a Sky card. You could do so from as early as the beginning of June (we were the first on the CB to tell this to the general public – see the June 8th post!))

However, some of these channels are not available on a Sky receiver, but on a generic receiver.

On a generic receiver you will need to scan the frequency 11053 H for the ITV1 channel.

Note that it is unclear for how long these channels will be available for, as the ITV1 regions on this frequency were the regions subject to the recent shuffle by ITV and also appear on other Astra satellites – it is possible that the regions on this 11053 frequency will disappear sometime as there is no reason to duplicate them. Update – 26 June 2008 Three of the ITV regions on this frequency have indeed gone – expect the remaining three to go shortly - Update 1305 CEST ITV gone from this frequency.

Users of a sky receiver and a big dish can also get ITV1 easier, as per the process below. You will require a Sky viewing card to access these channels though – note that the reception will be the same as Channel 4, so this will work only if you can view Channel 4.

Services, 4, 4, 12402, V, 27500, 2/3 –Find Channels, Press Yellow to select the region – and press Select to store – and will be stored in your other channels list.

You still need a big dish to receive the BBC1 and BBC2 channels.

News Update – 24 June 2008

BBC SPORTS INTERACTIVE: BBCi is normally only available on a Sky receiver by pressing the Red button when on BBC1 or BBC2 (or by selecting the “Streams” on a generic receiver).

If you are able to receive BBC News, which should be available on a small 80cm dish, press Red or Text and type in the page number 3001 and press select, which is the page number for BBCi. If the system is working you will be looking at the BBC Sports interactive service – currently showing a lot of Wimbledon!

News Update – 20 June 2008

FREESAT: One website has managed to have an interview with a Freesat executive/ Some interesting points were made:

It’s not Freesat’s intention to mirror Freeview’s channels in any way. Gaining existing subscription channels like Dave, UK History etc will be almost impossible due to the way in which those channels are funded – they receive some money from Sky subscriptions.

Freesat’s official statement on channel FIVE being available on the platform is “definitely in 2008″. Whilst Freesat didn’t comment, FIVE has said that FIVER and FIVE US won’t be.

Freesat have no indication of if/when C4 HD will be available on the platform.

The first PVR receivers should be available in the autumn of this year. Humax are the only manufacturer of the PVR receiver, Alba Group and Panasonic are not involved (very interesting).

(source: http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.php/our-chat-with-freesat)

News Update – 16 June 2008

ITV FREQUENCY CHANGES: ITV are changing some of their channels about. Apparently they have lost one of their Astra 2D transponders / frequencies. So they are moving some ITV regions from Astra 2D to Astra 2B. Astra 2B's beam is stronger and can in theory be received on a 1.2m dish in the mornings and evening, but maybe not during the afternoon (use Channel4) as a benchmark. This does mean that ITV is easy on a big dish but you will still need a big dish to get BBC channels though as these are not affected
However, these regions on Astra 2B are only viewable on a Sky receiver with a Sky card and will not be available on a Freesat box. Instructions in the post below.

News Update – 8 June 2008

ITV FREQUENCY CHANGES: There is currently an ITV test channel that looks to be stronger than the usual ITV CI and ITV London. Not too sure how long this will be available for.

Services, 4, 4, 12402, V, 27500, 2/3 – channel labelled as 21299 – and will be stored in your other channels list.

News Update – 8 June 2008

ITV HD: As reported here, the new ITVHD service was launched exclusively on Freesat. However, Sky has confirmed it's in discussions about ITV HD being available for free via Sky HD service and a Sky HD receiver, and that it's "very hopeful" of a positive outcome to those talks. Part of those negotiations surrounds how Sky HD would host ITV HD as a standalone channel - not the 'via the red button' option that will first be available to Freesat HD users. This would mean that BBC HD, ITV HD, and C4 HD would be available for free on a Sky HD receiver - with no monthly subscription – you only need a monthly HD subscription for the Sky HD subscription channels (like Sky One HD)

There may also be possible price cuts - to the box or the £10/month HD fee - Sky didn't rule either out as part of its 2008 plans. So it may be worth waiting for a few months for a Sky HD receiver instead of the “less channels available“ Freesat receivers!

News Update – 2 June 2008

FREESAT: Freesat receivers are starting to make their way into Spain and being sold. Be aware if you are looking at buying one that at the moment there are a few points you may not be aware of. Many of them do not offer as many channels as a Sky receiver, NO CHANNEL 5, NO CHANNEL 4 HD (which is exclusive to Sky for the moment), you will still require a big dish to receive the BBC, ITV and Channel4, the HD Freesat boxes may not allow the component connections (Yellow white and red for example) to output to a HD TV, there have been numerous software updates to correct a whole host of problems with the EPG and HD picture issues, and a few boxes have been freezing on channel selection.

It does appear as if Channel 5 will be available on Freesat receivers later this year, but this has not yet been confirmed. Also, it looks like their sister channels (US and Fiver) will only be available via a sky receiver for a long time – as a Five spokesperson confirmed recently..

News Update - 6 May 2008

CHANNEL 4 E4 MORE 4: E4, E4+1, More4 and More4+1 are now free. You do not need a viewing card to watch them. Channe4 will only be free (without a card) by following the instructions in the post below).

News Update - 23 April 2008

SKY EPG: Sky will soon be performing some housekeeping on their EPG, meaning some channels will be changing their numbers.  More in the forum.

News Update - 19 April 2008

CHANNEL 4: Channel 4 HD will not be free for viewers for some time (so you will still need a Sky card to receive C4HD) for the time being. C4HD has a different contract than C4 with Sky.

News Update - 19 April 2008

SKY CARDS: It looks like the proposed Sky card change is delayed until it is known if and when C4 and Five go free – if Five goes free then there is no need for the FTV cards. It is thought that Fives encryption contract with Sky is up in June 2006.

News Update - 19 April 2008

SKY EPG: Users of the latest Sky+ and HD receiver will shortly be receiving a new style EPG, which is being rolled out during the year.

News Update - 12 April 2008

CHANNEL $: It looks as if Channel 4 will soon be going Free, so you can watch this channel, along with E4 and More 4 without the need for a viewing card. The down side of this is that it is also moving to the weaker Astra 2D satellite - they are testing a version of C4 on 10729 V 22 5/6 Channel name 8350. So if you are able to watch Film 4 you will be able to receive Channel 4 – otherwise you will need a big dish. This is all in preparation for the Freesat system launch at the start of May, with rumour that the Channel 5 channels will also be free in the future – but it is unknown if they too will go to the weaker 2D satellite (big dish required) or if they will just blank out certain films and sports that the are unable to show around Europe.

News Update - 4 April 2008

BBC NEWS: The recent testing of BBC News 24 has been completed and this is now available for most users on channel 503. This can be received throughout Europe on an 80cm dish on channel 503

News Update - 18 Feb 2008

FREESAT: It is being reported that Freesat, the BBC/ITV alternative method of receiving satellite TV, has been delayed until May 2008 at the earliest. This will still not affect reception of channels here in Spain (see below)

News Update – 17 Feb 2008

SKY CARDS: There are growing rumors that Sky are about to issue new Sky viewing cards around March – June time. If your current Sky card is registered at your own UK address then you should receive the new card. In theory you should remove your old card and insert you new card into your Sky receiver to make the change over.

If your Sky viewing card is not registered at your own UK address then you may have problems in continuing to receive your Sky channels. Obviously demand for new cards, including Free To View (required for Channel 5) will severely outstrip supply. This means that many people here in Spain will be without certain channels until the new cards are available, but I am sure that you will have to pay a premium price for them.

News Update – 17 Feb 2008

FREESAT: You may have heard that in the UK there is a new satellite system being launched in 2008 called Freesat.

This will in no way change the way you view UK TV channels here in Spain.

You will still need a big dish to receive the BBC and ITV channels here in Spain. Nothing is changing with the introduction of Freesat.

All that is happening is that the BBC and ITV will be producing their own brand of satellite receivers, so that people do not need to go via Sky for their equipment.

In simple terms Freesat is the name of the EPG (programme Guide) which can only be accessed on Freesat receivers, just like (in fact from what i have seen of it very VERY like) the Sky EPG that can only be accessed by Sky receivers. When you select a BBC channel the receiver will still look for the signal on Astra 2D, the weak signal satellite that carries those channels and that you need a big dish for.

Yes Freesat will be available quite easily here in Spain. But, bearing in mind that Freesat is only the EPG, the signal that carries the information for the EPG will be available on an 80cm dish. But the channels that the EPG points to will remain as they are today (but with a few exceptions like possibly Channel 4!)

You will still need a Sky viewing card and a Sky receiver to receive Channel 4 and Channel 5 – until their contract with Sky runs out.

There is very little (read no) chance that the BBC and ITV channels will change their satellites.

The quick and simple way to show what you will get with Freesat is to take your Sky viewing card out of your current set up. What you have then is Freesat!