Sony Unveils Bravia Line with Built-In Freesat

BERLIN: Sony has announced several new European initiatives for its line of Bravia TV sets, including new models in the U.K. featuring integrated Freesat receivers.

Freesat, operated by the BBC and ITV, offers some 140 TV, radio and interactive channels without a monthly subscription fee. The new W5810 and Z5800 Bravia models will have a Freesat receiver built in, eliminating the need to purchase a set-top box. "The Bravia W5810 and Z5800 TVs provide an amazing immersive HD viewing experience for TV, sports, movies and games," said Hiroshi Sakamoto, the VP of TV marketing for Europe. "And now with an integrated freesat receiver, viewers can easily access a huge choice of free HD content to watch in incredible HD detail only found on a Bravia TV."

Sony also announced that it is bringing the Bravia Internet Video feature to Europe, allowing users to watch Internet content directly from the TV screen. Sony is working with broadcast partners across Europe, including ARD, M6, Mediaset, RTVE, Antena3, LaSexta and Five, to offer content on a trial basis TV. Bravia Internet Video will also offer free on-demand video content from YouTube and Dailymotion, among other sites.

Sony Europe is also gearing up to bring 3-D TV to homes in 2010 with a new Bravia LCD TV.