Terrestrial TV – Page 3 – All About Digital TV

Delays to Freeview Migration for BBC Four HD and CBeebies HD

The migration of BBC Four HD (high definition) and CBeebies HD to the PSB3 Freeview terrestrial multiplex has been delayed. With the temporary COM7 multiplex having now closed, these channels are currently unavailable, with information slates on the respective channel numbers advising of their imminent return.

This issue is relates to a capacity issue on the PSB3 multiplex. In its current form (or at least its form when the COM7 multiplex was in operation), there is no vacant space (or bandwidth) available to broadcast BBC Four HD and CBeebies HD.

BBC Four HD and CBeebies HD timeshare, with CBeebies HD running from 6am to 7pm, with BBC Four HD taking over from 7pm (in similar practice to how the standard definition versions broadcast on the PSB1 multiplex). Therefore, to enable both channels to broadcast, a single 24 hour video stream is required

This means that in order for both channels to broadcast on the PSB3 multiplex, either an existing channel needs to move or close, or technical changes need to be made in order to free up sufficient space for the video stream. The BBC, who control this multiplex, have opted for the latter, and it is these changes that were not made in time before the COM7 multiplex closed.

As yet, no completion date has been given for when these changes will be made.

All (Or at Least Most) Freeview Updates

A large number of Freeview changes are happening, either on the 29th or 30th June (2022). I hope that this article will be a round up of them all, but there may be changes to what’s planned.

As already mentioned, 4 Music will switch over to E4 Extra on the 29th. See the previous article for more details. On the same date, BBC Four HD and CBeebies HD will be added to the PSB3 (HD/DVB-T2) multiplex, and will become available to those who receive signals from a relay transmitter for the first time. Quest Red +1, Together TV, and That’s TV (UK version) will also move, but to permanent commercial multiplexes. Not all viewers will be able to receive these channels, but the channels will benefit from improved coverage. The placeholder for Craft Extra on channel 95 will also be removed.

The following day sees the second part of the changes. Now 80’s will reduce coverage to being available in Manchester only (on the Greater Manchester multiplex). CBS Drama will rebrand to Reality Extra (see previous article, and will also reduce coverage by moving to the COMUX multiplex which is used to broadcast locally licensed TV services.

Also on the 30th, That’s TV will change channel number, and will take over channel number 65 from Freesports, as that channel is leaving Freeview. Sister channel That’s Music will increase coverage (presumed to be also moving to a commercial multiplex), and will move up slightly, from channel 92 to 91.

Freesports has opted to leave Freeview entirely, and will rely predominantly on Sky and Virgin Media, but is also available free-to-air on satellite, so can be manually tuned into Freesat and other satellite receivers. CBS Justice is closing entirely, and will not be replaced on Freeview (but is becoming Legend on other platforms). Forces TV is closing on all platforms, and will no longer be available.

BBC News HD, QVC HD, QVC Beauty HD, Quest HD, and More 4 +1 will also leave Freeview on the 30th, but will remain on other platforms (where applicable). Standard versions also remain available on Freeview. PBS America +1 (itself only available on Freeview), will close, but it is understood that the normal version of the channel will be extending its broadcast hours.

The above is not exhaustive, and other changes may be made, triggered by the closure of the temporary multiplex COM7. If you can live without some channels for a few hours, re-tune once from around late morning onwards on the 30th to capture all of the changes. If you receive signals from a relay transmitter, re-tune on the 29th, as you will be only affected by the changes on this day (and you only need to re-tune if you have a HD compatible device).

You may need to re-set your scheduled recordings, so may a note of any programmes you has set to record before re-tuning. Consult your device instructions/handbook or manufacturer if you are unsure of how to re-tune.

CBS Dropped from UK Channels

The CBS name is being dropped from UK channels, as the former AMC Networks and CBS UK joint venture disbands. There will still be four channels, but CBS Drama and CBS Justice will come to an end. A precursor to the more widespread changes came earlier this year, when CBS Justice and Horror swapped channel numbers on Freeview. Horror moved from channel number 69 to 41, with CBS Justice making the opposite move.

Now, widespread changes are being made, with the CBS name being dropped, as Paramount Global (owners of CBS and other brands) gradually restructures. The changes have been timed to coincide with the closure of the COM7 Freeview multiplex on the 30th June (2022).

Horror, which already shows sci-fi programmes, will be replaced by Legend and Horror Extra. Legend will broaden Horrors reach to complimentary genres such as action, and increased amount of sci-fi programmes. Horror Extra will be a part time channel, focusing on horror movies and TV shows post watershed. On Freeview, Legend will take over the slot currently occupied by Horror, but on Freesat, Sky, Virgin Media, will replace CBS Justice when it closes.

Horror Extra will take over Horror’s existing slots on satellite (Sky/Freesat) and cable (Virgin Media), but is not expected to be available on Freeview. Horror currently has a +1 version on these platforms, which Horror Extra will inherit.

CBS Reality will continue unchanged initially, but is expected to become Reality in due course. CBS Drama, itself no longer solely devoted to drama shows, will become Reality Extra. It is understood, that there will be no schedule changes, beyond the name change, but Reality Extra will have reduced coverage on Freeview.

The changes have been timed to coincide with the closure of the COM7 Freeview multiplex on the 30th June (2022).

Note: I became aware of the changes to the above channels a week or so ago, but have only recently had sufficient sources (and time) to be able to adequately cross reference the changes.

Freeview Changes – COM7 and Others

Next week, on Thursday 30th June (2022), sees a major reshuffle in Freeview channel availability, largely due to the closure of the temporary COM7 multiplex, but there are also some changes elsewhere.

Sadly, I don’t have the time just yet do post a full breakdown/analysis here, so for the time being, I’ll leave the link to the full list on the Freeview website here.

As already mentioned, E4 Extra will take over from 4 Music on Freeview, a day earlier on Wednesday the 29th. As an existing service, a re-tune is not actually required, as 4 Music will simply be relabeled to E4 Extra. However, your receiver may not automatically update the channel label/name on your EPG, so you may still need to retune, although you will still be able to watch E4 Extra.

As such, waiting until the 30th will to retune will mean you will only need to retune your TV or set top box once, and will reduce time wasted resetting series recordings etc. (if applicable).

Forces TV to Close

BFBS, the British Forces Broadcasting Service, has decided to close its Forces TV channel. Forces TV currently broadcasts news for the armed forces, alongside archive entertainment programmes, which has attracted a significant audience from outwith the armed forces.

Forces TV was due to lose its terrestrial Freeview coverage from 30th June, as the channel broadcasts on the COM7 temporary Freeview multiplex. The broadcaster has revealed on its Forces.net website, that options to continue broadcasting on the platform were not viable to BFBS, which is charity run.

This in turn appears to have sparked a wider review into the channel, with the broadcaster concluding it is also no longer financially viable to operate the channel on other platforms. Therefore, on the 30th June (2022), Forces TV will cease broadcasts on Freeview, cable (Virgin Media), and the Sky and Freesat satellite platforms.

Forces News and other military specific content will remain available on the Forces.net website, and other online platforms. Other services operated by BFBS will remain unchanged, with BFBS continuing with its remit to inform, entertain, and educate British forces communities around the world.

Forces TV has been on-air for a total of 8 years, having launched on the 10th June 2014 on Sky, Freesat, and Virgin Media. Freeview coverage followed around a year later. At the time, the organisation operating the channel was know as the Services Sound and Vision Corporation, which has now restructured as BFBS.

E4 Extra and a Return to Music for 4 Music

Channel 4 have unveiled changes to their entertainment and music channel line-up, including an E4 spin-off, and a return to full-time music programming for 4 Music. The changes will take place on the 29th June (2022).

In a press release later followed by promotion on E4, Channel 4 have unveiled an new spin off channel, E4 Extra. E4 Extra will sit alongside the current main E4 channel, and will largely broadcast re-runs of comedy and entertainment shows. This includes acquired programmes such as The Big Bang Theory and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, as well as Derry Girls and The Inbetweeners both produced originally for Channel 4. Legendary, the reality vogueing competition which explores ball culture in the USA, will also move to E4 Extra.

E4 Extra will actually replace 4 Music, currently available on terrestrial platorm Freeview (channel 31, 90% coverage on main transmitters only), cable platform Virgin Media (channel 337), and satellite platforms Sky and Freesat (channels 139 and 181 respectively). It is unclear what programmes E4 will be left with, but it would appear that E4 will focus on reality programmes such as Below Deck and Married at First Sight, as well as premiere showings of Hollyoaks.

4 Music itself will continue, and will in turn replace Box Hits, with the latter permanently closing.. 4 Music is currently a hybrid music and entertainment channel, but will revert to its original format of full time music videos. However, the channel will lose Freeview coverage, and will become available on satellite platforms Sky and Freesat (channels 354 and 501 respectively), and cable platform Virgin Media (channel 336).

The Box Plus portfolio (wholly owned by Channel 4), will reduce to the 5 channels (4 Music, The Box, Kerrang, Kiss, and Magic), although with the creation of E4 Extra the total number of Channel 4 owned channels remain unchanged.

BBC Confirms COM7 Closure Plans

With the limited coverage temporary Freeview (terrestrial TV) multiplex COM7 closing at the end of this month (June 2022), the BBC has now confirmed its plans for its high definition (HD) channels on the multiplex.

BBC Four HD, BBC News HD, and CBeebies HD are currently distributed on the COM7 multiplex. As yet, no dates have been given, but two of these will migrate to another multiplex.

The BBC have two multiplexes of their own, know as BBC A and BBC B (or PSB1 and PSB3). BBC A is used to transmit all of the BBCs standard definition channels, alongside national and local/regional BBC radio channels. The BBC are currently prohibited from renting out spare capacity to other broadcasters.

BBC B can be opened up to other broadcasters, and the BBC currently uses this multiplex to broadcast core HD services from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5, as well as broadcasting one or two standard definition channels.

The BBC have managed to find enough capacity on the BBC B multiplex for one full 24 hour HD video stream. CBeebies HD and BBC Four HD time share, with the former being available during the day, and the latter taking over in the evenings at 7pm. With these two channels sharing the same video stream, both can be accommodated on the new space found on the BBC B multiplex.

At the time of writing, some details are limited, but what can be confirmed is that CBeebies HD and BBC Four HD will now have a wider coverage area, with the BBC B multiplex being available from all main and relay Freeview transmitters. Theoretically, anyone with compatible HD equipment (eg. Freeview Play, Freeview HD, or DVB-T2 marked devices), will be able to access the two channels once the migration takes place.

BBC News HD will close on Freeview, presumably at the same time as the final closure of the COM7 multiplex, but will continue to broadcast on other platforms such as satellite. The other assumption at this stage is that all existing BBC B channels will continue broadcasting unchanged. No other details are yet available for other channels affected by the COM7 closure.

Together TV Launches Online Streaming Service

Together TV, the community lead channel supported by several larger broadcasters, has launched a new streaming service

Initially, the channel is available on desktop, mobile, and tablet devices. More platforms will be added in the future, including over the coming months.

The new service provides an alternative way of accessing the channel for those affect by the recent reduction in availability on Freeview. Together TV remains available on satellite (both Sky and Freesat), and cable (Virgin Media).

COM7 Closure Implications

The temporary terrestrial (Freeview) multiplex COM7 is set to close in June, to allow for the frequencies to be used for mobile phone networks. The frequency is one of those in the 700 MHz band that has now largely been cleared for %G mobile phone use, with the closure of COM7 to complete the process.

This will mean some Freeview viewers will lose some channels. I say some, as COM7 currently broadcasts to a limited area, and by using the DVB-T2 transmission method is only available those with compatible equipment (usually branded Freeview HD or Freeview Play).

COM7 currently broadcasts a mix of HD (high definition) and standard definition channels, largely HD simulcasts and plus 1 timeshifts. However, Freesports, Now 80s, That’s TV (UK version), ‘pop-up’ temporary service That’s Music, Forces TV, and the recently moved Together TV are all ‘unique’ to this multiplex.

In total, some viewers may lose up to 15 channels, on the assumption that no channels will be re-accommodated on other multiplexes. Exact changes are yet to be revealed (or at least to reach me), so the exact number of closures may change. There is not enough spare capacity to accommodate all services on other multiplexes, so at least some will close.

It is up to the channel owners and transmitter network providers to decide who gets available vacant capacity. There is only one remaining DVB-T2 multiplex (BBC B/PSB3), and that is current full. This means the HD simulcasts will close, but may appear in the future if an existing multiplex converts to DVB-T2.

That leaves the standard definition channels, of which 3 are time shift versions of existing channels so are unlikely to be retained. That’s Music is a pop-up service, so will also close, leaving 6 channels needing capacity. It is unlikely that there is enough national capacity to keep all 6 on-air.

Time will tell if any of the services affected by the COM7 closure will continue broadcasting on Freeview, but most are available on other platforms such as satellite which are unaffected by the terrestrial changes.

A New Hybrid Future for Talk Radio

Talk Radio, the speech based station from Wireless Group (owned by News UK), will become a hybrid TV and radio channel with the launch of Talk TV. The development of the channel has been forming discussion for sometime, but there are now enough confirmed details for a full news article.

Talk Radio have been streaming an online TV channel Talk Radio TV for some time now. Largely, this comprises the same audio feed as the station on DAB+, with the addition of a studio video feed, and a scrolling news ticker. Daytime content will be carried over to the new hybrid service largely unchanged.

Screenshot of Talk TV website, 21/04/2022.

In the evenings, new primetime shows will be added, hosted by well known names such a Sharon Osborne and Piers Morgan. The audio for these will be rebroadcast on Talk Radio, but will be broadcast from new TV studios.

A website has now appeared online, but helpfully this only confirms the start date of the new Talk TV service, which is the 25th April (2022). Channel availability confirmed so far includes terrestrial Freeview on number 237, satellite platforms Freesat (217) and Sky (526), and cable platform Virgin Media (number not yet confirmed).

NB. All channel numbers confirmed are based on details obtained from platform websites or direct observations.