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Home»BBC»Sky and Freesat start BBC HD channel upgrade
BBC

Sky and Freesat start BBC HD channel upgrade

20 January 2023
Sky satellite dish, zone 1

The first stage of the BBC HD satellite upgrade starts on Tuesday 24th January when the first regions migrate on Sky and Freesat.

Viewers in the south of England, including the former Oxford TV region, will become the first in England to see their regional BBC One switch to HD on channel 101.

At the same time, Northern Ireland becomes the first UK nation to move to all-HD broadcasting of BBC One and BBC Two on satellite.

Meanwhile, viewers with older standard definition satellite receivers will be switched to BBC One Nightlight. This is a special version of BBC One without local news programmes. During regional programmes, viewers will see a message advising them of the change.

All regions will now be upgraded by the end of February, faster than originally announced by the BBC.

The BBC confirmed its plans to upgrade services to HD in an announcement made at the end of November. The broadcaster will shortly announce details of a help scheme to assist vulnerable users. Freesat users can check to see if their device is compatible with the change by visiting channel 799.


▶ Overview: BBC HD upgrade

Receivers in the affected areas will be updated

South of England (Sky and Freesat)

  • BBC One South SD on channel 101 is replaced by BBC One South HD.
  • Users of older SD-only Sky and Freesat receivers will migrate to BBC One Nightlight and lose access to regional programmes.

Northern Ireland (Sky and Freesat)

  • BBC One NI SD and BBC Two NI SD close. But Sky+HD, Sky Q and Freesat HD/4K box users already have HD versions of these channels on 101 and 102.
  • Users of older SD-only Sky and Freesat receivers will migrate to BBC One Nightlight and BBC Two Network. You’ll lose access to BBC Northern Ireland’s programmes.

Republic of Ireland (Sky)

  • No change for Sky Q, Sky+HD users.
  • Users of older SD-only Sky and Freesat receivers will migrate to BBC One Nightlight and BBC Two Network. You’ll lose access to BBC Northern Ireland’s programmes.

Across the UK (Sky and Freesat)

  • BBC One South HD will appear on Sky channel 964 and Freesat channel 961.
  • BBC One NI SD will be removed from Sky channel 953 and Freesat 957. BBC One NI HD will remain on Sky channel 979. Freesat hasn’t yet confirmed if BBC One NI HD will move from channel 978. BBC Two NI SD will also be removed from Sky channel 972 and Freesat channel 974 for viewers outside of Northern Ireland.

When exactly do the changes take place? Sky and Freesat update their channel lists during working hours – so don’t expect a midnight changeover. Freesat receivers will change first the afternoon before. Sky receivers will update during the course of the day.


More to come…

Since publishing this article, the BBC has now confirmed an accelerated timescale that will see all regions updated to HD by the end of February, not March as the BBC.
You can find more details here…



by Iain Hatton

Updated by Sonali Khan 23/01/23

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

Freeview changes

25th January 2023

  • Channel 92 | Together TV+1 has moved multiplexes from COM5/ArqA to COM6/ArqB. The service broadcasts from 0500-0800 via linear TV. At other times, the service streams via the internet on compatible connected devices.

Other Freeview channel updates…

Satellite

BBC HD satellite changes:

Sky customers should contact Sky if they have any questions about their service.

  • BBC Alba HD begins testing by 2nd February. Launch 6th February (Freesat), 7th February (Sky).
  • BBC One E Yorks and Lincolnshire HD begins testing by 2nd February. Launch 6th February (Freesat), 7th February (Sky).
  • BBC One West Midlands HD begins testing by 2nd February. Launch 6th February (Freesat), 7th February (Sky).
  • BBC One Wales SD and BBC Two Wales SD close during week commencing 6th Feb.

Regional timetable…

Latest updates: HDsatelliteupgrade.co.uk

 

  • Astra 2G, 28.2°E 11171 H (SR 22000, FEC 5/6, DVB-S, QPSK) Wild Earth HD (testing)
  • Astra 2E, 28.5°E 12422 H (SR27500, FEC 2/3, DVB-S, QPSK) BBC national SD services are moving to this transponder.
  • Sky channel 793: Iran International is no longer broadcasting via Sky.

Saorview: Irish DTT  | How to manually tune your Sky box | Sky Glass channel list |  UHF channels and centre frequencies

 

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