Category: Connected TV and Online Streaming

This category includes online based streaming services such as TV Player and Pluto TV, along with connected TV platforms such as BT TV and TalkTalk TV, which combine terrestrial channel line ups with additional channels delivered via broadband.

Al Jazeera English is Removed from Freeview

Egyptian news channel Al Jazeera English, a longstanding Freeview (terrestrial) channel is no longer available in the traditional sense, and has been removed from the COM6 commercial multipex. However, the channel remains available as a ‘streamed’ channel on channel number 251.

Continue reading Al Jazeera English is Removed from Freeview

BBC Football Coverage to Resume

As covered in mainstream media, a high profile dispute between the BBC and Gary Lineker resulted in significant coverage to football coverage of the weekend (11th/12th March 2023). The dispute resulted from opinions expressed on the presenter’s personal social media account relating to current government policy.

Continue reading BBC Football Coverage to Resume

Viaplay Confirms UK Launch

Following acquisition of the Premier Sports TV channels earlier this year, Viaplay Group has confirmed the upcoming launch of its own branded content.

Premier Sports 1 and 2 will continue largely unchanged, but will be rebranded to Viaplay Sports 1 and 2 respectively. Both will continue to be available to subscribers largely on both Sky (satellite) and Virgin Media (cable). Freesports, currently free-to-air on satellite (albeit not on Freesat EPG), will become Viaplay Extra and will broaden its programming beyond sports. It is likely that rebranded Freesports will become encrypted, following a brief period of encryption observed earlier in the year.

The re-brands will occur on the 1st November, coinciding with the launch of Viaplay’s streaming platform in the UK. This will include two packages, Films & Series which will be focused on Nordic storytelling with Viaplay and third-party content, and Total which adds the full sports line-up. These are priced at £3.99 per month and £14.99 per month respectively.

HD Upgrade on the Way for UKTV Play

UKTV, owned by BBC Studios, has unveiled improvements for on-demand streaming platform UKTV Play. The platform allows viewers to stream programmes from free-to-air channels Dave, Drama, W, and Yesterday, as well as premium channels Alibi, Eden, and Gold for BT TV, Sky, and Virgin Media customers with the relevant subscription.

From today (Wednesday 28th September), a new look has been introduced, including an new logo. From November, high definition (HD) content will become available, initially for new released programmes, but re-encoded back catalogue content will follow shortly after, where a HD master (original copy) is available.

What is slightly unclear is how this will affect BT TV, Sky, and Virgin Media in the longer term, as HD versions of the free-to-air channels remain exclusive to paying subscribers. Perhaps this a sign that HD may eventually become free-to-air on linear TV platforms such as Freesat in the near future.

UKTV Play is available on a number of devices; including mobile phones and tablets, Apple TV, Youview, Freeview Play devices and some Freesat receivers.

Sky Glass Channel Additions

Sky have made improvements to its Sky Glass service, the dish free service based around its streaming TV.

The most significant change is the addition of 9 channels that had already been available on Sky’s satellite platform, but we’re absent when Sky Glass first launched. These are:

    • Bloomberg
    • Colors HD
    • Colors Rishtey
    • Colors Gujrati
    • GB News
    • NBC News Now
    • TalkTV
    • Zee TV
    • Zee Cinema

Where available, these channels will be HD by default.

Other improvements include the inclusion of YouTube within voice control functions, and a single login process for all BBC services such as BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.