Freeview is undertaking its next round of channel changes on Wednesday 23rd November, when WBD’s lifestyle channel Quest Red will lose its timeshift service.
Quest Red+1 will cease broadcasting on Freeview channel 71, with viewers being redirected to the main Quest Red service on channel 40. Viewers can also watch Quest Red programmes on catch-up through Discovery+. Ahead of the switch-off, Freeview viewers tuning in to the channel will see an on-screen pop-up message.
At the same time, the BBC will launch an information channel on Freeview 799 regarding forthcoming changes to BBC services.
And the number of streaming services on Freeview will increase with the addition of Arabic public service channel Alaraby Network. This will launch on channel 279 on 23rd November. The channel will be available on Freeview Play devices connected to the internet, plus any older Freeview HD device compatible with Freeview streaming channels.
Monthly channel updates
Freeview is currently co-ordinating the majority of changes to occur once a month, reducing the number of channel changes. The last set of changes occurred on 26th October and 21st September. Freeview does not make any changes over the Christmas period, but if any changes need to be made in December, these will be done before the holidays.
Context / End of another timeshift channel
Quest Red+1 was among the channels that survived this summer’s cull of Freeview services when one of the platform’s multiplexes was closed. At the time, the channel moved frequency and gained wider Freeview coverage. Less than five months later, it’s all over for the channel.
+1 channels are falling out of fashion. Originally, they were set up as a quick and easy way for broadcasters to increase viewing figures and ad revenue. Broadcasters, including Quest Red’s owner WBD, are now more interested in increasing revenues and viewing figures for their streaming services. New internet-based TV platforms, including Sky Stream and BT TV’s Internet Mode service have done away with +1’s altogether. Sky is gradually ditching +1 versions of its own channels.
Iain Hatton