Tag: Freeview

Freeview Shuffle Completes

The Freeview channel multiplex reshuffle has taken place, and in addition to the previous news posts, the following has now been confirmed.

A new video stream has opened on the BBC B (PSB3) multiplex, allowing Shopping Quarter to move without needing to replace an existing channel. Although not in HD, a DVB-T2 receiver (Freeview HD or Freeview Play) is required to view the channel.

Freesports, Now 80s, and Forces TV have moved to COM7, as per the original plan, and contrary to the most recent news post. The moves to COM 5 and 6 are still expected in the future, as these are the only channels (except HD and +1 duplicates) not on a permanent multiplex

Further Freeview Changes

Pick +1 has been removed from Freeview (around 12pm), and was broadcast on COM7, one of the temporary multiplexes.

I also have further information, though not yet confirmed by other news sites, that Freesports, Forces TV, and Now 80s are also moving from the temporary multiplexes. The expect changes are summarised below, and are due to take place on the 22nd June.

Channel (No.) Current Multiplex Expected Change
Forces TV (93) COM8 Move to COM6
Freesports (64) COM8 Move to COM5
Now 80s (86) COM8 Move to COM6

All three channels had expected to move to temp. multiplex COM7 when COM8 closes. However, these channels are one of only a few non +1 of HD channels broadcast on COM7/COM8, and the move to permanent multiplexes suggest that COM7 is also expected to close soon.

COM8 Closure and Freeview Reshuffle

Temporary Freeview multiplex is to close on the 22nd of June, as part of the clearance of frequencies for future 5G mobile phone services. Some services are moving to the other temporary multiplex, COM7, whilst some +1 and HD (high definition) channels are closing.

Due to the nature of the channels closing, most viewers will be unaffected, as there is already and alternative version of the channel available. Additionally, the temporary multiplexes offer limited coverage on newer DVB-T2 devices only, further reducing the number of viewers affected.

Although some recievers may make some of the changes automatically, a re-tune is required in most cases, due to channels moving frequencies. A full re-tune will ensure you are viewing the correct version of the channel, as dual-transmission of some services will take place for a short amount of time.

The table below shows the full changes.

Channel (No.) Current Multiplex Expected Change
5 Star +1 (55) COM8 To close on 22nd June
5 USA +1 (56) COM7 To close on 22nd June
Freesports (64) COM8 Moving to COM7 on 22nd June
CBS Reality +1 (67) COM7 To close on 22nd June
CBS Justice +1 (69) COM8 To close on 22nd June
CBS Drama (71) COM6 To be renumbered to 67 on 22nd June
Shopping Quarter (74) COM7 Moving to PSB3 (BBC B) on 22nd June (replacing TBN UK?)
Now 80s (83) COM8 Moving to COM7 on 22nd June
Togther TV +1 (89) COM8 Moving to COM7 on 22nd June
PBS America +1 (93) COM8 Moving to COM7 on 22nd June
Forces TV (96) COM8 Moving to COM7 on 22nd June
BBC Four HD (106) COM8 Moving to COM7 on 22nd June
Channel 4 +1 HD (109) COM7 To close on 22nd June
4 Seven HD (110) COM7 To close on 22nd June
QVC HD (111) COM8 Moving to COM7 on 22nd June
QVC Beauty HD (112) COM8 Moving to COM7 on 22nd June
TJC HD (115) COM7 To close on 22nd June
Cbeebies HD (205) COM8 Moving to COM7 on 22nd June

As can be seen, CBS Drama is being promoted further up the channel list, taking over channel number 67 from CBS Reality +1 when that service closes.

Other platforms are unaffected by the changes.

Sewing Street Launches

A sewing channel themed shopping channel has returned to Freeview channel 73, under the name Sewing Street. Sewing Street launched on Friday and is being operated by Gemporia who reacquired the Jewellery Maker channel from Immediate Media, after the latter decided to exit the TV market.

Channel 73 was previously home to Sewing Quarter which has now closed. Gemporia took over the Freeview slot, but not the Sky slot or the Sewing Quarter website. However, a Sky launch for Sewing Street is planned.

Sewing Quarter itself has now closed, but the management behind the channel have transferred to Sewing Street.

Retro Movies Removed from Satellite

Retro Movies appears to have stopped broadcasting on satellite. Although still listed on Sky and Freesat EPGs, the satellite feed has went ‘dark’ with no programmes or other content being broadcast.

According to website RXTV Log, Retro Movies is still available as part of Channelbox on Freeview 271, as a streamed channel on devices connected to the internet.

There has been no official word from Retro Movies. Their website (at time of publication) is still live, but the schedule doesn’t list any programmes beyond Friday 24th January.

Talking Pictures, Sony Movies Classic and TCM Movies are alternative channels for those wishing to view older films.

Freeview Updates

There have been a number of changes to the Freeview service over the past few days, which are summarised below.

Taking effect from yesterday (Wednesday 8th January 2020), arts and craft channel Hochanda has reverted to broadcasting between 7am and 7pm on Freeview. The channel started broadcasting 24 hours a day in Autumn 2019, but the cost of extended hours of carriage on Freeview has proven unsustainable.

PBS America has now completely its frequency move, and is now available to 90% of the population on channel 91. As previously announced Paramount Network and 5Spike have now merged into the new version of Paramount Network. Sony Movies Classic has replaced seasonal channel Sony Movies Christmas, with a corresponding change to the +1 channel.

Paramount Network +1 has launched on channel 94, and CBS Justice +1 has launched on channel 69. Both are on the soon to close temporary multiplexes, so have limited coverage and are only available on DVB-T2 (HD, Freeview Play etc) equipment.

Smithsonian Channel (Smithsonian and ViacomCBS joint venture) has changed channel number to 57, and also frequency, meaning the channel now reaches 90% of the population. 5Select has moved up 1 slot to become channel 54, with similar moves for 5Star +1 (now on 55), and 5USA +1 (now on 56).

Upcoming Freeview Changes

There will be changes to Freeview services on 6th/7th January. Some services will only be moving to a new channel number, whilst others will be moving to new frequencies.

As some channels are moving frequency, a retune will be required to restore missing channel. Viewers receiving Freeview from a relay are not expected to be affected, as the changes only affect channels on the commercial frequencies (Arqiva A & B, SDN, COM7 & 8).

Full details of channel changes have been difficult to pin down, as reports have been rather conflicting. As such, a summary of the changes will be posted here after the event.

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.

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.

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.