Three weeks after ending live broadcasts in standard definition (SD), the BBC channels are now delisted from Sky HD/Q satellite receivers.
- The BBC SD channels continued to be listed in the 800s until this morning.
- The channels will remain on older satellite receivers and a small number of HD receivers without active Sky subscription only until ‘late March’.
The BBC ceased broadcasting TV channels in standard definition at just before 11am on 8th January 2024. Since then, the SD channels have carried on-screen messaging about the changes.
Sky has now delisted these services on HD/Q boxes, so they no longer appear among the legacy SD channels in the 800 channel range, which is reserved on the Sky satellite guide for SD/HD simulcast services.
As a result, there is now just one primary version of all BBC channels on the EPG – the HD version – plus secondary regional services above channel 950.
This means Sky channels 801, 802, 815, 844, 845, 847, 882 and 971 are now empty on Sky Q and Sky+HD boxes where there is an active HD subscription.
Legacy SD boxes, which will shortly become obsolete, will continue to list the BBC SD channels with their on-screen message until just before Easter. Older HD boxes that are being used for free-to-air reception without an active Sky subscription still list the SD channels for now.
The BBC has committed to keeping the messaging on-air until late March, when it will clear the satellite transponder.
Updated 21:01