Cable platform Virgin Media has made two changes which will improve its channel line up in the UK. One service, CNN International, has returned to the platform after a period of absense. Another, PBS America, has been upgraded to high definition (HD).
Continue reading Virgin Media Channel ChangesTag: PBS America
Changes to Broadcast Hours on Freeview
Unsurprisingly, the previous post on the Freeview (terrestrial) channel shuffle did miss some details. Most changes, except those to BBC Four HD and CBeebies HD (click link for article), were made as expected, but there are a couple of broadcast hour changes that I missed.
That’s TV (UK) and sister channel Classic Hits (formerly That’s Music) timeshare, and share a single 24 hour video stream. That’s TV (UK) broadcasts from 7am to 1am, with Classic Hits limited to 1am to 7am in the early hours of the morning.
PBS America, now without its Freeview only +1 channel (which broadcast for longer hours than the main channel), has extended its hours marginally. PBS America now closes down at midnight each night, instead of the previous 11pm. It would appear, that negotiations are still ongoing for future increases in broadcast hours once bandwith (space) becomes available, though this has not been confirmed.
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.
Freeview Changes
Further to the previous post, Drama +1 has now replaced CCXTV on terrestrial platform Freeview, retaining channel number 73.
Speculation was that CCXTV was created to allow for eventual transfer of what was Create & Craft’s high EPG number of 23 to another channel. While this does appear to have been the case, unlike Merit which allowed a high position to transfer from ITV to Sky, CCXTV ran a near full time service, and had an active presence on social media.
The channel re-numbers have also taken place, but are far more extensive than previously reported. The full changes are summarised below.
Channel | New EPG No. | Old EPG No. | Multiplex |
Now 70s | 75 | 78 | Greater Manchester |
Now 80s | 76 | 83 | COM7 |
Now 90s | 78 | 84 | Greater Manchester |
Clubland TV | 79 | 82 | Greater Manchester |
Together TV | 82 | 87 | COM5 |
Together TV +1 | 83 | 88 | COM7 |
PBS America | 84 | 91 | COM6 |
PBS America +1 | 87 | 93 | COM7 |
Country Music Entertainment | 88 | 98 | Greater Manchester |
Expected Freeview Changes
Although unconfirmed, the following changes are expected on the Freeview terrestrial service.
CCXTV, the entertainment channel from the owners of Create & Craft and Ideal World, is expected to close on or around the 1st February (2021). Drama +1 is expected to launch on this day, and may take CCXTV’s channel number.
PBS America is expected to move up the EPG to a new channel number. Currently on 91, the channel is expected to move to 84, but this would require Now 90s to move to vacate the number. PBS America +1 is also expected to move, from 93 to 87.
No frequency changes are expected, but a retune may still be required if and when these changes take place, in order for your device to show the changes.
Freeview Updates
There have been a number of changes to the Freeview service over the past few days, which are summarised below.
Taking effect from yesterday (Wednesday 8th January 2020), arts and craft channel Hochanda has reverted to broadcasting between 7am and 7pm on Freeview. The channel started broadcasting 24 hours a day in Autumn 2019, but the cost of extended hours of carriage on Freeview has proven unsustainable.
PBS America has now completely its frequency move, and is now available to 90% of the population on channel 91. As previously announced Paramount Network and 5Spike have now merged into the new version of Paramount Network. Sony Movies Classic has replaced seasonal channel Sony Movies Christmas, with a corresponding change to the +1 channel.
Paramount Network +1 has launched on channel 94, and CBS Justice +1 has launched on channel 69. Both are on the soon to close temporary multiplexes, so have limited coverage and are only available on DVB-T2 (HD, Freeview Play etc) equipment.
Smithsonian Channel (Smithsonian and ViacomCBS joint venture) has changed channel number to 57, and also frequency, meaning the channel now reaches 90% of the population. 5Select has moved up 1 slot to become channel 54, with similar moves for 5Star +1 (now on 55), and 5USA +1 (now on 56).
Freeview Reshuffle
A number of changes have taken place on Freeview recently.
Starting with Channel 4, Film 4 +1, E4 +1, and More 4 +1 have moved to different frequencies. E4 +1 and Film 4 +1 have swapped places. E4 +1 now has expanded coverage, and is now available on PSB2 (D3&4), meaning the channel is now available from all transmitters. Film 4 +1 has made the opposite move, and can now be found on COM4. As a consequence, this channel can only be found on main transmitters, with around 90% coverage.
More 4 +1 has been moved from PSB3 (BBC B), the HD multiplex, to COM7. COM7 is one of two temporary multiplexes, currently being phased out to make way for 5G mobile phone services. The space vacated is currently vacant, with a suggestion that the capacity might be used for another HD service (More 4 +1 is standard definition only).
PBS America has also moved from temporary multiplex COM8 to COM6, expanding its coverage area. The channel is available from 1pm to 11pm, and can be found on channel 91. PBS America +1 has launched using the vacated capacity on COM8, and is available 24 hours a day on channel 93.
Together TV has made a less dramatic move. Frequencies have stayed the same, but the channel has moved slightly up the list, and is now on channel 88. Together TV+1 can now be found on channel 89.