• News
    • Broadcasting
    • Cable
    • Digital Life
    • Online
    • Satellite
    • Terrestrial
  • Channels
    • through a TV aerial (Freeview/Saorview)
    • through a satellite dish
      • Freesat channel list UK
      • Sky channel list (UK EPG)
    • through cable (Virgin Media UK)
    • with YouView
      • BT TV Channel List
      • TalkTalk TV Channel List
  • Platform guides
    • Freeview and Freeview Play
    • Freesat
    • Sky
    • Virgin Media
    • YouView
  • Logs and data
    • BBC local radio via Freeview
    • Freeview Updates
    • Freeview regional retune days
    • UHF channels and centre frequencies
  • Guides
    • How to manually retune your Sky box
    • What is HbbTV?
Twitter
RXTV infoRXTV info
NEWS
  • ITV reports drama streaming success
  • Premier Sports bags Nations League coverage until 2024
  • Neil: BBC News being left behind by rivals
  • News
    • Broadcasting
    • Cable
    • Digital Life
    • Online
    • Satellite
    • Terrestrial
  • Channels
    • through a TV aerial (Freeview/Saorview)
    • through a satellite dish
      • Freesat channel list UK
      • Sky channel list (UK EPG)
    • through cable (Virgin Media UK)
    • with YouView
      • BT TV Channel List
      • TalkTalk TV Channel List
  • Platform guides
    • Freeview and Freeview Play
    • Freesat
    • Sky
    • Virgin Media
    • YouView
  • Logs and data
    • BBC local radio via Freeview
    • Freeview Updates
    • Freeview regional retune days
    • UHF channels and centre frequencies
  • Guides
    • How to manually retune your Sky box
    • What is HbbTV?
Twitter
RXTV infoRXTV info
Home»Terrestrial»S4C HD launches on Freeview
Terrestrial

S4C HD launches on Freeview

19 January 2022
S4C logo

A high definition simulcast of S4C is now available via Freeview transmitters serving Wales.

It follows a deal between the BBC and the Welsh-language broadcaster to use Freeview HD capacity in Wales. A placeholder for S4C HD appeared in Wales on channel 110 on Wednesday 19th January, ahead of its official launch in the evening.

Viewers may need to retune to see the new service.

As a result, viewers can watch all of S4C’s primetime programmes in high definition. Programmes shown earlier in the day will continue to be SD only, via S4C’s existing service on Freeview channel 4. S4C HD weekend afternoon programmes, including live sport will also be available on Freeview.

Limited hours only on Freeview

S4C HD’s Freeview hours are limited due to a timesharing arrangement with the BBC. The new service will share bandwidth with CBBC HD.

CBBC HD / S4C HD timesharing arrangement

During the week, S4C HD starts at 7pm, after the end of CBBC programmes for the day.

At the weekend, S4C HD is live from 2pm. This means CBBC HD closes early in Wales. Viewers need to switch to CBBC SD to continue watching programmes until 7pm.

A full-time version of S4C HD service is available on Sky, Freesat and Virgin Media.

Return of HD broadcasts from S4C

BBC Three is not the only former Freeview channel returning this year.

It’s nearly ten years since S4C’s original Freeview HD channel “Clirlun” was closed due to cost-cutting. The name ‘Clirlun’ was the result of a competition to create a Welsh-language term for ‘high definition’. Following Clirlun’s closure in December 2012, the Freeview HD slot was assigned to Channel 4 HD.

Earlier this week, S4C was awarded an additional £14 million of licence fee money per year as part of a new funding arrangement to help boost its digital footprint.

S4C HD was launched on Sky and Freesat in 2016, and later followed by Virgin Media. Inclusion of Freeview until now was not possible, due to limited bandwidth and cost.

S4C HD on Freeview instead of BBC Three HD

Due to S4C HD taking a Freeview HD slot, BBC Three HD will not be available from transmitters in Wales. This was cleared by Ofcom during the regulatory process undertaken ahead of the relaunch of the youth-orientated channel.

However, viewers in Wales can continue to receive BBC Three SD on Freeview.

The HD version is carried on cable, satellite and online platforms. Some viewers may be able to receive BBC Three HD via signal overlap from Winter Hill transmitter in North East Wales and via the Mendip transmitter in the Cardiff and Newport area.

Changes to CBBC HD in Wales

There will be changes to the way CBBC HD is carried on Freeview as a result of the change. The current feed of CBBC HD moves to channel 790 following a retune. Recordings and series links need to change to the new feed of the channel, which will take over channel 204.

A further channel change will take place next week, when numerous Freeview channels move to new positions to make way for BBC Three on Freeview.

*

This article was updated 20/01/2022 with details of weekend times.

featured Freeview news
Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleSky expands Women’s Super League coverage
Next Article ISP, TV and mobile price rises confirmed as inflation figures published

Related articles

ITV reports drama streaming success

21 May 2022

Premier Sports bags Nations League coverage until 2024

21 May 2022

Neil: BBC News being left behind by rivals

19 May 2022

Comments are closed.

Latest…
  • ITV reports drama streaming success
  • Premier Sports bags Nations League coverage until 2024
  • Neil: BBC News being left behind by rivals
  • Freevee arrives on Apple TV
  • BBC Three comes to Ireland with Luxembourg licence

RXTV info | Covering the reception and distribution of UK terrestrial TV (Freeview), cable, satellite and connected TV services for users and installers.

Freeview changes

13th April 2022:

  • Channel 92 | That’s Music launches [COM7]
  • Channel 237 | TalkTV added to channel list (launches on 25th April) [COM4/SDN].

Other Freeview channel updates…

Satellite
  • Astra 2E, 28.5°E 11836 H (SR 27500, FEC 5/6) Sky News Ireland new frequency (SID: 5406)
  • Astra 2F, 28.2°E  12226 H (SR 27500, FEC 2/3) BBC Two Northern Ireland HD is now testing.  The channel has been SD only on satellite until now.
  • Astra 2F 28.2°E 11306 H (SR 27500, FEC: 2/3; QPSK) Emergency broadcast of Freeview multiplex PSB2 for Tyne Tees region.
Sky Glass

Twitter
  • About
  • Cookie & Privacy Policy
© 2022 RXTV Info AIS

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of cookies.
ACCEPTCookie settingsRead More
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies.
SAVE & ACCEPT