Category: Terrestrial TV

Here you can find posts relating to terrestrial TV platforms (via aerial), such as Freeview in the United Kingdom, and Soarview in the Republic of Ireland.

Al Jazeera Ends Freeview HD Channel

Al Jazeera has ceased broadcasting its Freeview HD version following the introduction of a new standard definition version on channel 235.

With the new version being on a different frequency, more viewers can access the channel of Freeview. The channel will continue to be available following the introduction of 5G mobile phone services, as the HD version of the channel was on a temporary frequency that is to be re-used for 5G.

Whilst reduction of picture quality is a downside, this is far outweighed by the boost in coverage area.

UKTV/Discovery Number Shuffle Part 2

As expected, Quest has now inherited the number 12 slot on Freeview, previously used by Dave and briefly Home. Home can now be found on number 42, whilst DMAX has now been promoted the channel 37, the old number for Quest.

Viewers who receive these channels may need to retune for the channels to move to their correct positions. Some receivers will make these changes automatically.

UKTV Channel Number Changes

As part of the split of UKTV, some Freeview channels will be changing numbers on Monday (10th June). This is part of the deal between the BBC and Discovery, with Discovery receiving the channel number 12.

Home, due to be acquired by Discovery, will take over channel 12 from Dave, which returns to its original number 19. Yesterday will in turn move from 19 to 25, which is the current ‘home’ of Home. Dave and Yesterday are to become part of the BBC’s commercial arm BBC Studios.

It is expected that Home will only be on channel 12 for a short time, with Discovery’s Quest likely to take over the slot.

Sony Crime Channel Complaints

Following the downgrading of the Sony Crime Channel Freeview service, RXTV-Log has reported a large number of complaints on social media. Sony appear to have responded by simply removing the Facebook and Twitter pages entirely.

There is speculation that the channel may not last much longer, however given some high profile business departures from social media such as Wetherspoons, this appears to be an attempt to control bad publicity.

In other connected news, children’s channel Pop Max has increased its broadcast hours on Freeview, and Movies for Men has taken over the ’40’ channel number from the Sony Crime Channel.

Freeview Changes – Sony Crime Reduction

From tomorrow, the Sony Crime Channel will be cut down to a two hour placeholder on Freeview. Earlier this year, the channel had its coverage area cut, when it moved to a different frequency. The channel will also change number from 40 down to 60.

Sony Crime Channel only launched 15 months ago, replacing True Crime on Freeview, and Sony Channel on satellite. True Crime was reinstated in February this year, replacing Tru TV.

Freeview Changes – Channel 4 Number Shuffle

Channel numbers on several Channel 4 channels on Freeview will be changing on 13th May, following Channel 4s full acquisition of the Box Plus Network that was previously a joint venture.

E4 will move from 28 to 13 which is currently home to Channel 4+1. Film 4 moves to 14, with Channel 4+1 taking over 15. More 4 moves from 14 to 4 Music’s current number of 18.

E4+1 will move up slightly to 28, with 4 Music being pushed down to 29.

These changes will also affect Youview powered services from BT and TalkTalk, as these rely on Freeview from some of their channels.

The table below shows all of the old and new channel numbers.

Channel Old Number New Number
Channel 4 + 1 13 15
E4 28 13
E4+1 29 28
Film 4 15 14
More 4 14 18
4 Music 18 29

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.

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.

UKTV Splits

BBC Studios and Discovery have announced details of how UKTV will split.

BBC Studios will take over Alibi, Dave, Drama, Eden, Gold, Yesterday and W. Discovery will take over Good Food, Home, and Really.

BBC Studios will take over the UKTV Play on-demand catch up service. A 10 year deal will see the BBC content launch on Discovery’s new global subscription on-demand video service, excluding the UK, Ireland, and China.

The split has been rumoured for some time, following Discovery inheriting the UKTV share that was owned by Scripps Networks.