The new Labour led UK Government has confirmed a commitement to the TV Licence providing some certainty on how the BBC will be funded going forward. There had been some debate on the best way forward for funding the state owned public service broadcaster, amid a rise to streaming services such as Netflix meaning some no longer required a TV licence.
Continue reading Licence Fee to Be RetainedCategory: Satellite
News stories relating to satellite TV, including subscription platform Sky, and free-to-air platforms Freesat, and the unadvertised and similarly named Freesat from Sky.
Box Plus Network Closes Down
Satellite and cable channels The Box, 4Music, Kerrang, Kiss and Magic, all closed down at midnight on 1st July (2024), bring in an end to what had been known as The Box Plus Network. Channel 4 have axed the channels in the first move away from linear broadcasts.
Continue reading Box Plus Network Closes DownFreesat Scraps Remote Recording
Freesat has removed remote recording functionaility from its mobile apps. Remote recording allowed users to programme recordings on compatible Freesat recievers remotely via their mobile phone (when both devices were connected to the internet).
Continue reading Freesat Scraps Remote RecordingRewind TV Launches
Rewind TV, and independently operated TV channel dedicated to showing classic British TV shows, launched on 23rd May (2024). The channel is available free-to-air on satellite.
Continue reading Rewind TV LaunchesUKTV to Rebrand in 2024
UKTV, part of the commercial arm of the BBC, have announced a name to be introduced during the summer of next year (2024). The name will also roll out to its streaming service and as a prefix to its channel line up.
Continue reading UKTV to Rebrand in 2024Further Restructure of AMC UK Lineup
AMC Networks UK has made a further restructure of their channel lineup, following a similar exercise in 2022, which has seen the end of the use of the CBS brand. No changes have been made to platform availability, with the channel remaining on Freesat, Sky, Virgin Media, and Freeview.
Continue reading Further Restructure of AMC UK LineupStandard Definition Migration on Satellite
The pace of conversion to high definition (HD) broadcasts is becoming quicker, with many changes upcoming that will largely render older standard definition Sky and Freesat boxes redundant.
Continue reading Standard Definition Migration on SatelliteSky to Revamp Pick
Pick, a free-to-air channel operated by Sky but without Sky branding (similar to sister channel Challenge), is to be rebranded to Sky Mix. Existing programming will be maintained, however additional content from across Sky’s portfolio will be added.
Continue reading Sky to Revamp PickIdeal World Ceases Broadcasts
Shopping channel Ideal World has ceased broadcasts, with the company entering administration. 250 staff are losing their jobs, whilst the channel is unlikely to return to TV screens.
Continue reading Ideal World Ceases BroadcastsDAZN Launches Linear Channel
Sports broadcaster DAZN, which specialises largely in boxing, women’s football, and other niche sports, has launched a linear channel on satellite.
Called DAZN 1, the new channel is currently exclusive to the Sky satellite platform, on channel number 429. The channel broadcasts in HD, as is the norm for sports channels. However, a DAZN subscription is required, costing between £100 and £240 a year depending on contract.
Until recently, DAZN had only been available as an online streaming service, and the expansion to satellite broadcasting forms part of plan to wide distribution.