Category: Satellite

News stories relating to satellite TV, including subscription platform Sky, and free-to-air platforms Freesat, and the unadvertised and similarly named Freesat from Sky.

Eleven Sports – Is It Coming or Going?

Following on from the report that Eleven Sports had handed back its Ofcom licenses, they have reappeared on Ofcom’s list of cable and satellite license holders. There a three services listed; Eleven Sports 1 UK, Eleven Sports 2 UK, and Eleven Extra Bel (presumably the latter is a Belgium service).

This suggests that they are still planning on launching a ‘conventional’ channel in the UK, but could also be an error on Ofcom’s list. The full list of satellite and cable license holders can be view on Ofcom’s website.

Eleven Sports continues to operate in the UK online.

Freesports Starts Satellite HD Tests

Article Updated

Freesports, the free to air sports channel, has commenced HD (high definition) tests on satellite. Currently a test card is being displayed, with a full EPG.

The tests are unencrypted, meaning that the Freesports HD service is likely to be available on both Sky and Freesat. It has not yet been confirmed when the channel will launch.

Freesports abandoned an earlier attempt at launching a HD channel on satellite last year, and instead launched the HD version exclusively on cable service Virgin Media.

Eleven Sports Hands Back Ofcom Licenses

Due to the UK leaving the European Union (EU), Eleven Sports has now licensed its continental channels elsewhere, as UK broadcast licenses can no longer extend to other parts of the EU when the UK leaves.

Eleven Sports has been unable to obtain any carriage agreements on satellite or cable in the UK, they no longer require their Ofcom licenses, so have handed them back to the regulator.

Eleven Sports remains available online in the UK at www.elevensports.uk.

STV Launches Regional HD on Sky

STV has launch HD (high definition) versions of its channel for Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Tayside on Sky. This means that all Sky viewers can now find the HD version of the channel on 103, as there is a HD version for all STV regions.

There was a slight delay in the launch of the new versions. They were meant to launch on May 1st, but did not go live until the 2nd.

Freesat viewers are unaffected by the change, as the new versions of STV HD are broadcast on a Pan-European satellite and are encrypted. The Glasgow version of STV HD is still available on 111 for Freesat viewers.

Keep It Country to Rebrand

Television station Keep It Country is to rebrand to Spotlight TV. The name change is to reflect the fact that the channel has diversified into other genres such as easy listening.

The channel has indicated that some programming changes will be made, although the full extent of these changes is yet to be announced.

The channel is currently available on Freeview 87, Freesat 516, and Sky 376.

Euronews Evolution

Around 2 years ago NBC News became a share holder of the 24hour cross Europe new channel Euronews. At the time it was revealed that the channel would become EuronewsNBC, but this is yet to happen.

There have been changes. An overhaul has led to different language feeds being introduced. There was also an introduction of more presenter led programmes. A German news report by Infodigital suggests that brand perception has now improved without the need to add NBC to the name.

In the UK and Republic of Ireland, Euronews can be found on channel 508 (SD only), and is also on Virgin Media (channel 620 in the UK, 203 in Ireland). An online stream can be found at www.euronews.com/live.