[2] By legislation it was required to be available to approximately 90% of the population by end of October 2010 in a public testing capacity and nationwide by December 2011.

[3] Saorview was officially launched on 26 May 2011 by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte[4][5] and the service became the primary source of broadcast television in Ireland following the ending of analogue transmissions on 24 October 2012.

The Irish word saor [sˠiːɾˠ] means "free"; thus it is a partial calque of Freeview, the name of the DTT service of the United Kingdom.

RTÉ operates two DVB-T PSB multiplexes for transmission of Saorview television and radio channels.

The BAI said at the time: "the Authority now considers that it will not be feasible to introduce commercial DTT as originally intended until after Analogue Switch Off (ASO) at the earliest.

The position will be reviewed towards the end of 2011 and the Authority may seek expressions of interest in the provision of commercial DTT at that point.

It continued:[15] "it is the considered view of the Authority that as part of the preparation for the successful launch of commercial DTT in the future, legislative change will be necessary to enable the Authority to have formal relationships with the applicants, as obtains at present, and with RTÉNL".To date, the BAI have not announced any plans for a competition for a commercial DTT service.

[16] This was to allow the PSB side to proceed with an ASO transition to DSO, a stabilized economic backdrop by that time (3 years time) to emerge and changes in the Broadcasting Act 2009 to allow it have statutory mediation powers in dealing with RTÉNL (now 2RN) that it currently has with the broadcasters and interested parties but not with 2RN.

In submitting copies of the review to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the BAI would now welcome the opportunity to discuss the findings of the report and the policy implications arising at an early date.

Channels like RTÉ One, RTÉ2, and TG4 are available 24 hours a day, while others provide targeted content such as children’s programming and informational services.

Saorview also broadcasts a number of hidden channels and test cards, likely reserved for future services.

RTÉ said the combined offering was designed to be the most cost-effective solution for viewers and broadcasters; to offer for the first time 100% coverage of public service television services in Ireland, and to provide full national backup coverage on satellite in the event of an emergency or catastrophic failure of the DTT system [dubious – discuss].

Approval for the revised National DTT plan and the new Saorsat satellite service was announced by the Minister for Communications at the end of July 2010.