Author: Scott

True Crime Closure and Other True Changes

True Crime will leave Sky (satellite) and Virgin Media (cable), at the end of programming on the 30th June. The channel was reinstated in February, replacing the UK version of the TruTV channel. True Crime is also available on Freeview in Manchester, but it is unclear whether this outlet will continue.

Meanwhile on Freeview, True Entertainment and True Movies and will be reducing their coverage area from midday tomorrow. A re-tune will be required for viewers remaining within the coverage area to be able to continue to receive these services. However, both will gain a more prominent channel number with True Entertainment moving from channel 61 to 48, and True Movies moving channel 62 to 50.

Movies4Men+1 and Sony Movies+1 currently occupy slots 48 and 50 on Freeview (respectively), and it is unclear what will happen to these channels. A move to numbers 61 and 62, would seem likely.

All of the channels mentioned above are owned by Sony Pictures Television.

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.

Sky Reorganises International Channels

Satellite provider Sky has reorganised the International channels on its EPG. Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali and Arabic language channels are now group together, with new numbers assigned to them.

Viewers don’t need to take any action, as the changes will take place automatically. Series links will be unaffected.

A full list of the channels and their numbers can be found on Sky’s website.

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.

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.

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.