fair enough if they for whatever reason can not afford to pay extra because of copyrights.....
But some of RTE channels are already broadcasted from 28e and they encrypted for SKY Ireland but if I'm not mistaken you can watch them even with Setanta card (correct me if I'm wrong)
.... why not to include all of them on 28e and encrypt in the same way like Freesat Card from SKY (or in sky ireland package)
maybe I'm wrong but I really think that that KA band saorsat venue a bit usless
even on their website they say it is only for 1-2% of population who for whatever reason can not receive saorview
population of Republic Of Ireland and North Ireland is offically 6.4 million one percent of it makes 6 400 000
I can not find how big is average family in Ireland , let's say 3 is minimum
64000 /3
it makes 21333 houholds, but even this number is too generous becase we talking about rural areas where Saorview reception is limited
I can hardly imagine that people in those areas lived without any tv and (I think) most of them subscribed for the SKY Ireland already, where you can watch RTE channels.
ok ..even let's imagine somebody wasn't: but instalation of Saorsat Would cost (if to call in installer) around 300-350 (I guess) and this is just for 5 channels
just to compare if to take basic SKY entertainment extra for 26.50 quid a month ( or if you lucky with some kind of promotion deal even cheaper) you could see over 90 paid channels including RTE and the whole of freesat. you have a proper EPG and Recording with it.
again do not forget there are some doggy ways of watching even cheaper....
for now who would install Saorsat? Even if I would be Irish I wouldn't..... (some people even can not because dish is too big and you may need permission to install such a big dish in some places)
only few individuals would go for it ( and Irish living in UK, even reception is not designed for them)
Sorry to say but I think this venue (saorsat) is barindead