Category: 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.

New CBS on Demand Players for Freesat

The CBS AMC UK Channels Partnership has launched new on demand players on the Freesat platform. Horror Bites and CBS Catchup Channels UK allow viewers to view content from Horror Channel, CBS Reality, CBS Justice and CBS Drama through their compatible Freesat set top box.

Viewers can catch up on programmes for up to 30 days from when first broadcast on the linear channels. Box sets and CBS Reality original programming are also available to stream.

The CBS AMC UK Channels Partnership is a joint venture between AMC Networks International and CBS Studios International.

Retro Movies Joins Freesat and Channelbox

Retro Movies has now joined Freesat, and can now be found on channel 307. The channel shows movies from the early to mid 20th century, and was previously on available on Sky channel 327.

Retro Movies is now also available on Freeview streamed channel Channelbox, which can be found on channel 271. Viewers will need a compatible device connected to the internet in order to access Retro Movies through Channelbox.

Retro Movies is not currently available on Virgin Media (cable).

Sony Ditches True and Movies4Men Brands

Sony is to axe the True and Movies4Men brands as part of the latest changes to its TV channels.

True Entertainment will become Sony Channel, marking a reintroduction of that name. The existing programme line up will continue with additional shows.

Sony Movie Channels will reduce to simply Sony Movies. Movies4Men will become Sony Movies Action. True Movies will rebrand to Sony Movies Classic from January 2020, after a seasonal rebrand to Sony Movies Christmas.

It is unclear what will happen to the Sony Crime Channel.

Foodxp to Launch

Foodxp is to launch on satellite platform Sky on 1st August, at the same time as its sister channel Travelxp launches on the platforms.

Foodxp will focus on Global and Asian food, in contrast to existing food channels which focus mainly on UK and US food.

The channel has been allocated number 712, in the section of the Sky EPG (electronic programme guide) reserved for Asian channels.

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.