Satellite

BBC One’s new red slate for Sky and Freesat viewers

Viewers who see this version of the red slate pop up on BBC One will need to upgrade their equipment in the next 12 months.

The new slate is part of a campaign to make viewers aware of the closure of standard definition services on satellite, which will take place in early 2024. It will begin to appear on devices that can’t be upgraded to the BBC’s new high definition (HD) service.

Unlike the current red slate that will disappear from BBC One HD in England as regional news programmes go HD in the coming weeks, the new slate, containing a QR code, will only be seen by a minority of viewers.

Older satellite receivers affected

Only viewers with older SD-only satellite receivers will see this message. Many of the affected receivers are well over 10 years old.

All newer satellite receivers, including Sky Q, Sky+HD and the Freesat 4K Box support HD and will be automatically upgraded. The BBC says the majority of satellite receivers in use today in the UK are compatible with the changes it is making.

Anyone watching on an HD compatible receiver in England will begin to see their local BBC One HD on channel 101 in the coming weeks.

By the end of March, all regions will be upgraded on Sky and Freesat. Additionally, BBC Alba, BBC Parliament and BBC RB1 will also become available in HD on satellite.

To prepare for the HD switch, regional news centres have been upgraded to be able to broadcast in high definition. Some regions have also received new studio sets.

The process has taken over 10 years to complete after multiple delays, linked to funding.

You’re not affected if you have:

  • Sky Q
  • Sky+HD
  • Sky Stream or Glass (these are not satellite receivers)
  • Freesat HD
  • Freeview
  • YouView (including BT TV)
  • Cable TV

You are affected if you have…

  • An old Sky digibox
  • An old Freesat SD box.

How can I tell if I need to take action?

  • If you have a Freesat box or TV, check channel 799. If you have Sky, check to see if you can already receive HD channels on your box.
  • If your device is not compatible with the HD upgrade, you’ll soon start to see a red screen with a message during regional programmes on BBC One. This applies to all regions and nations. If you live in Northern Ireland or Wales, you’ll also lose access to local programmes shown on BBC Two.

Ad

What do I need to do?

  • If you have Sky in the UK, you can request a free upgrade to Sky Q through Sky directly. Sky’s website has more information…
  • If you are a Freesat user, you’ll need to find a new satellite receiver. HD compatible receivers are available from around £50. Certain vulnerable users will be entitled to additional help and support. Details will be confirmed by the BBC and Freesat shortly via their dedicated website.

What if I don’t do anything?

  • If you are affected, and see the above message during regional news programmes, you will lose access to BBC channels in early 2024 if you do not upgrade. Other broadcasters are also preparing to wind down their SD services, so you’ll lose other channels if you don’t have an HD receiver.
  • Freeview viewers are NOT affected. The TV service through your aerial will continue to carry standard definition channels. But if you upgrade to a Freeview Play TV or box, you’ll also be able to watch your local BBC One in HD on channel 101.
  • Virgin Media users are NOT affected. Your service has already been upgraded.

I have a non-Sky or Freesat receiver, do I need to retune?

If your satellite receiver supports HD, you’ll need to retune your satellite receiver as the changes roll out. This ensures you can get all the available BBC HD channels and can replace the old SD services from your channel list.

If you have an older SD satellite receiver, you’ll need to upgrade. Otherwise, from 2024, you’ll lose BBC services via satellite.

Will BBC TV reception improve in Europe?

There are no changes to coverage, which limits reception on sub-1 metre dishes to the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, northern and central France and western most parts of Germany.

Reception of HD channels beyond this area may be more difficult than SD. This is due to the different broadcast parameters used for HD services.

by Iain Hatton

Related articles