The BBC announced that it would, for the first time, broadcast its eight TV channels unencrypted by satellite. This decision will enable viewers in the United Kingdom to receive BBC channels without a BSkyB viewing card, through any make of digital satellite receiver. The broadcaster will use SES Astra’s Astra 2 D satellite to carry its channels.

The BBC estimates this decision will save 85 million pounds sterling ($136.6 million), as it will no longer be using BSkyB’s conditional access system. Previously, the BBC paid for encryption to ensure that BBC channels were only received in the United Kingdom.