Satellite – Page 13 – All About Digital TV

Freesports now HD Only on Satellite

Freesports have now converted both Freesat and Sky versions of the channel to HD only. This will mean that some viewers will lose access to the channel.

For both Sky and Freesat, there are still some viewers using legacy standard definition equipment. Viewers will need to arrange for replacement receiver boxes to be installed in order to continue to view Freesports on Sky or Freesat.

Freesports had already converted its Virgin Media service to HD, however as Virgin Media had transitioned its viewers onto newer HD compatible equipement, no viewers lost access.

Freesports remains in standard defintion on Freeview, where there are no plans to change to a HD service.

Freesports Confirms Freesat HD Channel

Freesports has confirmed that it will launch a HD version of its channel on Freesat. The HD version of the channel will take over the number of the current standard definition channel, with the standard definition version to move to a lower channel number.

The Freesat HD service will launch shortly after Freesports HD launches on Sky on the 15th July.

Freesports HD first launched last year on the Virgin Media cable platform.

Travelxp Leaves Freeview for Sky

Been away on holiday for a week, so there have been no updates to TelevisionSRS lately. Thankfully, it appears that there is only one major to story to bring to you.

The UK version of Travelxp has closed on Freeview. The closure took place at 1pm on Monday 1st July.

The channel showed back to back travel documentaries, and is expected to return on the Sky satellite platform after a hiatus.

Update: Travelxp have confirmed the UK service will return on the 1st August on Sky.

More Sony Channel Changes

Sony has made further changes to its television channels.

Children’s channel Pop Max has left the Comux multiplex that broadcasts the local television channels, but is continuing on other platforms.

The Sony Crime Channel is to become only available on Sky and Virgin Media. The channel has been withdrawn from Freesat, and will only be available on Freeview in Manchester (channel 60). From 1st July, the channel will refocus on factual programming, absorbing some of the content previously available on Sony Crime Channel 2, and True Crime.

Sony Crime Channel was launched 18 months ago, and replaced the Sony Channel.

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.

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.

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.

Eleven Sports Hands Back Ofcom Licenses

Due to the UK leaving the European Union (EU), Eleven Sports has now licensed its continental channels elsewhere, as UK broadcast licenses can no longer extend to other parts of the EU when the UK leaves.

Eleven Sports has been unable to obtain any carriage agreements on satellite or cable in the UK, they no longer require their Ofcom licenses, so have handed them back to the regulator.

Eleven Sports remains available online in the UK at www.elevensports.uk.

STV Launches Regional HD on Sky

STV has launch HD (high definition) versions of its channel for Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Tayside on Sky. This means that all Sky viewers can now find the HD version of the channel on 103, as there is a HD version for all STV regions.

There was a slight delay in the launch of the new versions. They were meant to launch on May 1st, but did not go live until the 2nd.

Freesat viewers are unaffected by the change, as the new versions of STV HD are broadcast on a Pan-European satellite and are encrypted. The Glasgow version of STV HD is still available on 111 for Freesat viewers.