Month: October 2019

+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.

Sky to Launch Brexit Free News Service

At 5pm today, Sky News is to launch a part time Brexit free version of the channel. Sky News Brexit-Free will be a available on Sky channel 523, from 5pm to 10pm, Monday to Friday, utilising capacity normally reserved for pay-per-view events.

The channel will also be available on the Sky News Youtube Channel, for non Sky TV customers.

Sky News Brexit-Free is being launched in response to a survey which found that around a third or people are avoiding the news, with Brexit being a significant reason.