Free FilmFour on Freeview!

kai666 · 12 July 2006 at 11:09PM

zoescrims wrote:

d how long is the offer?
zoe

permenantly

sunderblund · 16 July 2006 at 11:47AM

Probably been mentioned but if you want free films now is the time to invest in a freeveiw box...........................

overide · 21 July 2006 at 11:30AM

Woohoo! :j

http://www.channel4.com/film/filmontv/film4_faqs.html

Changes at FilmFour

We are going free-to-air, this means the new FilmFour service will soon be available to everyone with digital TV

When will Film4 go free-to-air?
On July 23rd 2006, at 9pm, and then from Monday 24th July you can enjoy free films every day from 3pm to 3am.

How will I receive Film4?

The channel will launch on Freeview for the first time and will continue to be available to all cable and satellite viewers at no additional cost. On digital satellite, the Film4 Channel will be available to freesat viewers as well as Sky digital subscribers.

On which channels will Film4 be available?
Film4 will be on:
Channel 31 on Freeview
Channel 315 on Sky
Channel 701/50 on NTL
Channel 444 on Telewest

How many Film4 channels will there be?
A one-hour time-shifted channel will be available on the following channel numbers:
Channel 316 on Sky
Channel 714 and 46 on NTL
Channel 445 on Telewest

Will I need to re-programme my digital box?
Most existing digital TV viewers with relatively new boxes won't need to do anything. However, some may encounter a few problems and may need to re-programme their box.

Some digital boxes and TVs rescan automatically, others need to be manually rescanned. To manually rescan you need to press "Menu" on your remote control and follow the on-screen instructions or those printed in your manual. A typical sequence is:

1. Press MENU on your remote control
2. From the Menu options, select the 'Tuning Menu'
3. Select 'Auto Setup' or 'Update' to rescan your digital TV*

*also referred to as 'Update', 'Retune', 'Replace' or 'Store Channels'

Why is Film4 going free-to-air?
It is Channel 4's ambition to widen its digital offering, so that a greater range of programming is available within digital homes. Over the years we have developed a strong and valuable film channel, which we feel should be available to as wide an audience as possible. We are therefore making it available to everyone with digital TV.

What will the new programming be like?
The new free-to-air service will screen great films every day from 3pm. The channel will offer a broader range of titles than any other UK film channel, with classics earlier in the day giving way to modern Hollywood output and the best of US and UK independent cinema during the peak period, and foreign language and cult cinema late at night.

Can you give me more details about the programming?
Listings for the first week will be available shortly, but the channel's launch night film, on Sunday 23rd July, will be Lost In Translation at 9pm, followed by Sexy Beast at 11pm and Infernal Affairs at 12.40 am.

Will you still be showing foreign language and extreme films - if so when?
Yes, these films will remain a key part of our schedule and will play across the time zones. In the first month we will be screening a season of Roberto Rossellini films, to mark the centenary of his birth. We are also showing 7 films from the Oscar-winning director Hayao Miyazaki, including Princess Mononoke and Kiki's Delivery Service, screening in August in afternoon slots. 9pm will see the UK TV premiere of The Motorcycle Diaries, and there will be films from Kurosawa, Almodovar, Cocteau and Renoir to look forward to in the first few months. Our Saturday Night Shocks strand, every Saturday at 11pm, launches with the UK TV premiere of Wolf Creek and other early highlights will include Audition and The Blair Witch Project, plus the UK TV premiere of Lady Vengeance.

Will the Film4 free-to-air service carry any advertisements during films?
Yes, like most other free-to-air channels the new Film4 channel will have advertising breaks. We are passionate about films and it is in our interest to show them in the best possible environment, so we will do our utmost to handle advertising breaks as carefully as possible. There will not be an on-screen logo on Film4.

I'm currently a Film4 subscriber, what happens now?
Film4 continues as a subscription channel until the end of the broadcast day on Wednesday 19th July 2006 and you will continue to receive all your Film4 channel(s) in the same way. The cost will stay at £7 a month for Sky digital subscribers and £6 a month for other providers, and you can continue with your normal subscription payments until then.

How will I be informed about the change?
All Film4 subscribers will have been informed by their digital TV provider. If you have any specific queries relating to your billing then contact your digital TV Provider. If you are a Sky digital subscriber then call 08702 40 40 20, Ntl:home call 0845 045 0020 or Telewest call 08450 142 0220

What about the Film4 VOD (video-on-demand) service?
As well as launching the new free-to-air film channel, Channel 4 is also planning the launch of a Film4 branded video-on-demand subscription service on various media platforms such as broadband, mobile and cable.

When will the Film4 VOD service be available?
More details will follow on this later in the year.