Now 70s – All About Digital TV

More Music Channels Added to Sky Stream

Sky Glass and Sky Stream customers have gained additional music channels, further reducing the deficit of channels comapred to Sky’s satellite based offering. Viewers of the internet delivered platform now have access to five channels operated by Universal Music UK.

Now Rock Launches

All Around the World Productions (AATW), who broadcast 4 music video channels using the Now and Clubland brands, have changed their line-up. Following the temporary festive music service which replaced Now 90s over the Christmas and New Year period, instead of reverting to Now 90s, a new Now Rock channel was launchedin its place.

Now 70s and 80s Switch Places

Music channels Now 70s and Now 80s have swapped frequencies on the Freeview terrestrial platform. Now 70s has switched from the Greater Manchester (GMan) multiplex to the COM6 (Arqiva B) multiplex, with Now 80s making the opposite move.

As a result, Now 70s has increased its coverage area to most of the UK, with Now 80s restricted to the Greater Manchester area only.

The channel numbers have also changed, with Now 70s now on channel 76. Now 80s occupies a slightly higher position on the EPG, and can now be found on channel number 75.

Freeview Changes

Further to the previous post, Drama +1 has now replaced CCXTV on terrestrial platform Freeview, retaining channel number 73.

Speculation was that CCXTV was created to allow for eventual transfer of what was Create & Craft’s high EPG number of 23 to another channel. While this does appear to have been the case, unlike Merit which allowed a high position to transfer from ITV to Sky, CCXTV ran a near full time service, and had an active presence on social media.

The channel re-numbers have also taken place, but are far more extensive than previously reported. The full changes are summarised below.

Channel	New EPG No.	Old EPG No.	Multiplex
Now 70s	75	78	Greater Manchester
Now 80s	76	83	COM7
Now 90s	78	84	Greater Manchester
Clubland TV	79	82	Greater Manchester
Together TV	82	87	COM5
Together TV +1	83	88	COM7
PBS America	84	91	COM6
PBS America +1	87	93	COM7
Country Music Entertainment	88	98	Greater Manchester

Merit Launch Triggers Reshuffle, Now 70s Returns

ITV are launching a new part time channel tomorrow (8th July), triggering a channel number reshuffle.

Merit will broadcast from 9pm to midnight on Freeview channel number 34. ITV3 +1, currently on channel 34, will move to channel 58, in turn forcing ITV Be +1 down to channel 97. Both ITV3 +1 and ITV Be +1 are part time channels, which are likely to reduce hours to accommodate Merit.

The exact programme line-up is currently unknown, but Merit will specialise on cookery and gardening programmes. It is also unclear if the channel will join other platforms.

Additionally, Now 70s is returning to Freeview, still on channel 78, but coverage is limited to the Manchester area.