Author: Scott

Sewing Quarter to Close TV Channel

Shopping channel Sewing Quarter is to close, following its owner Immediate Media’s decision to exit from the TV business. Sister channel Jewellery Maker is being sold to Gemporia, who originally launched the channel.

The Sewing Quarter TV channel will close later this month, with discussions regarding the sale of the remaining business ongoing. The website will continue to take orders. Customers that have gift cards, vouchers, or credit will need to use these before 17th January 2020.

Sewing Quarter was only launched in 2017, and is currently available Freeview 73, Sky 687, and online.

5Spike to Merge with Paramount Network

ViacomCBS owned 5Spike and Paramount Network are set to merge. 5Spike will close, with Paramount Network becoming a male skewed action and reality channel. The changes will take place on Tuesday 7th January 2020.

On platforms where Paramount Network occupies a lower channel number than 5Spike, Paramount Network will take over 5Spikes channel number.

On satellite, Paramount Network is moving to Channel 5’s main transponder. The changes will take effect automatically, and viewers should not need to take any action to continue watching Paramount Network.

5Spike first launched as Spike in 2015, with Paramount Network appearing on UK screens in 2018.

TBN Moves on Freeview

TBN UK has moved to the BBC B HD multiplex, giving the channel a near UK wider coverage on Freeview. The channel broadcasts religious programming, and is available on channel number 65.

Although not in HD, Freeview HD (DVB-T2) equipement is required to view the channel.

Freeview Reshuffle

A number of changes have taken place on Freeview recently.

Starting with Channel 4, Film 4 +1, E4 +1, and More 4 +1 have moved to different frequencies. E4 +1 and Film 4 +1 have swapped places. E4 +1 now has expanded coverage, and is now available on PSB2 (D3&4), meaning the channel is now available from all transmitters. Film 4 +1 has made the opposite move, and can now be found on COM4. As a consequence, this channel can only be found on main transmitters, with around 90% coverage.

More 4 +1 has been moved from PSB3 (BBC B), the HD multiplex, to COM7. COM7 is one of two temporary multiplexes, currently being phased out to make way for 5G mobile phone services. The space vacated is currently vacant, with a suggestion that the capacity might be used for another HD service (More 4 +1 is standard definition only).

PBS America has also moved from temporary multiplex COM8 to COM6, expanding its coverage area. The channel is available from 1pm to 11pm, and can be found on channel 91. PBS America +1 has launched using the vacated capacity on COM8, and is available 24 hours a day on channel 93.

Together TV has made a less dramatic move. Frequencies have stayed the same, but the channel has moved slightly up the list, and is now on channel 88. Together TV+1 can now be found on channel 89.

Last Day for Total Country

Total Country has announced that it is closing today, just over a year after launch.

The channel launched initial on Sky on 1st November 2018, replacing Massive R&B. The channel was also added to Virgin Media cable platform in March of this year.

Following Keep It Country’s rebrand to Spotlight TV and introduction of other forms of music, Total Country was the only UK television channel to focus solely on country music.

Disney+ Launch Date Confirmed

Disney have confirmed that their Disney+ online streaming service will be available in the UK and Ireland from 31st March 2020.

Full details of the programme line up have yet to be confirmed, and might be impacted on existing rights deals with broadcasters.

The service will be available on a variety of platforms including:

  • Amazon Fire TV
  • Apple (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple TV, and fully integrated with the Apple TV app; customers can subscribe to Disney+ via in-app purchase)
  • Google (Android phones, Android TV devices, Google Chromecast and Chromecast built-in devices)
  • LG Smart TVs
  • Xbox One
  • Sony (all Android based Sony TVs and PlayStation4)
  • Roku (Roku streaming players and Roku TV models)
  • Samsung Smart TV

+1 Moves on Freeview

Whilst I normally wait until I have the full story before publishing a news article, today I make an exception as the information will be of benefit to viewers.

Freeview are advising viewers to to retune on 5th November, as changes are being made to way in which Film4+1 and More4+1 are broadcast. It is understood that these channels will be moving to a different frequency.

Freeview are also advising a further retune will be required on 14th November in order to continue receiving E4+1, and this could be part of a wider channel reshuffle. Following a renumbering by Channel 4 earlier this year, it is clear that E4 is an important part of their plans. Therefore it would appear that a coverage boost to E4+1 appears likely. through a frequency/multiplex slot.

Currently, Film4+1 and More4+1 are on PSB (public service broadcaster) frequencies, with E4+1 on a commercial frequency with reduced coverage area.

More details will be posted on TelevisionSRS when available.

Kingdom FM Joins DAB

Kingdom FM has now joined the Central Scotland DAB multiplex, ahead of the official DAB launch tomorrow (30th October). The station replaces Rocksport Radio, which is continuing online.

Kingdom FM is broadcasting using ‘original’ DAB in stereo at 128 kbps. This offer slightly better sound quality than local rival Forth 1 who currently use 112 kbps (also stereo).

The Central Scotland DAB multiplex covers the central belt of Scotland, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Fife, Falkirk, Stirling and North Ayrshire. Kingdom FM will remain focused on Fife, but now has an expanded coverage area.

CBS Drama to be Upgraded on Freeview

CBS Drama will return to 24 hour broadcasting on Freeview from 1st November, expanding from the current arrangement of broadcasts from 1pm to 11pm.

The improvement has been made possible by Sony’s service reductions earlier in the summer. The change will also benefit YouView users, which piggyback of Freeview for some of the channels. If you are a BT, TalkTalk or Plusnet TV customer, your service will delivered through YouView.

CBS Drama has previously been a full time service on Freeview, but had its hours reduced in November 2017.

Dplay Replaces QuestOD

Dplay has become Discovery’s online platform for content from its free to air channels, replacing QuestOD.

Dplay combines content from Quest, Quest Red, Food Network and DMAX, along with that from recently acquired Home and Really. Home and Really on-demand content has now been removed from UKTV Play, the equivalent streaming service of their former owners.

Home is expected to rebrand as HGTV, but a date for this is yet to be confirmed.