BBC confirms plans for the HD switch, with an information campaign set to inform viewers on how the changes will affect them.
The switch means the red screen shown during regional programmes on BBC One HD in England will be axed and BBC One HD will appear on channel 101 on every TV platform.
As reported here at the weekend, the BBC is to close its standard definition channels on satellite as part of the switch. HD versions of BBC Alba, BBC Parliament and BBC Two NI will also launch on satellite.
Today, a special information channel launched on Freeview and Freesat channel 799 which tells viewers if their equipment is compatible with the changes to BBC services.
BBC One HD regional rollout timeline
| Platform | BBC One HD regions go live |
|---|---|
| Sky satellite and Freesat | In stages between mid-January and end of March 2023 |
| Freeview, Freeview Play, YouView | by April 2023 |
| Virgin Media, Sky Stream/Glass, BT TV Pro | Completed. |
The BBC will be setting up a special website in conjunction with Freesat to inform satellite viewers with SD equipment of their options. The BBC will also run a help scheme to ensure the elderly and vulnerable are supported through the transition.
Freeview viewers with older SD-only equipment won’t need to take any action – SD channels will continue on Freeview.
For more details about the BBC One HD rollout and other changes to BBC services, click or touch the headers for more details:
Freeview, Freeview Play, YouView
BBC One HD regions to be made available on Freeview, Freeview Play and YouView by April 2023. When rollout reaches your region, you’ll be able to see your regional news on channel 101 instead of the red slate.
The BBC will announce dates closer to the time.
Viewers receiving BBC One Oxford or BBC One East (W) – Cambridge: your regional service ends in December as part of BBC cuts. You will be migrated to either BBC One South or BBC One East as part of the changes.
Sky satellite and Freesat
The first BBC One English regions will switch to HD starting mid-January. The first SD services will close. For viewers with SkyQ, Sky+/Sky+HD and Freesat HD receivers, the process will be automatic in the background.
All BBC One HD regions will be available in HD on channel 101 by the end of March on satellite.
For viewers in Northern Ireland, BBC Two NI will become available in HD.
Precise dates for the above stages will be confirmed by the BBC.
SD channels:
The old SD channels will start to be turned off in mid-January. This means viewers with old receivers will start to lose access to their regional programmes in SD.
SD closure will now follow in March 2024, not end of 2023.
Freesat viewers should check channel 799 to see if they need to take action.
Viewers receiving BBC One Oxford or BBC One East (W) – Cambridge: your regional service ends in December as part of BBC cuts. You will be migrated to either BBC One South or BBC One East as part of the changes.
Other TV platforms
BT TV Pro (Internet Mode), Sky Stream, Sky Glass, Virgin Media cable, Virgin Media Stream: the switch to HD is already complete. No further action is required.
However, if you use a TalkTalk TV receiver, please see the information under ‘Freeview, Freeview Play and YouView’ above.
Confirming the BBC’s plans Kieran Clifton, BBC Director of Distribution said:
“By Spring next year, viewers in England will be able to receive BBC One HD for their region and not have to tune away to watch their local news and programming. This, coupled with upgrades to BBC channels that aren’t currently available on some devices in HD, will mean viewers will get a more easily accessible, better quality experience when watching BBC programmes from early next year.”
Elements that make up the BBC HD switchover
The HD switchover consists of the following elements. But rollout varies according to platform and device:
- Availability of all BBC One regions in HD.
- HD channels moving to the primary channel slot, replacing SD. For example, BBC One HD replacing BBC One SD on the first slot on your channel list.
- The rollout of BBC Two Northern Ireland HD on Sky satellite and Freesat.
- The launch of BBC Alba and BBC Parliament in HD.
- HD quality streams of all BBC TV services and regional versions on the iPlayer.
by Iain Hatton