Satellite platform prepares for migration of more channels to the newer DVB-S2 broadcast standard that isn’t supported by older boxes.
- Blaze and Gems TV delisted from older Freesat boxes.
- Expected to be removed from older Sky satellite boxes shortly.
- Satellite TV industry is converting transponders to newer broadcast standard in order to make more efficient use of the available bandwidth.
Older Freesat boxes lost access to entertainment channel Blaze (channel 162) and shopping network Gems TV (channel 805) on Tuesday in preparation for another change in the way satellite services are delivered.
Freesat SD boxes, which were widely on sale between 2008 and 2013, have already largely become redundant after the BBC and ITV began switching off SD channels at the beginning of the year, in favour of HD-only broadcasting.
But a growing number of SD (standard definition) channels are also affected, as broadcasters switch to the newer and more bandwidth efficient DVB-S2 standard. However, now that Freesat and Sky have dropped support for their old SD-only boxes, broadcasters and platform operators are now switching SD services to DVB-S2.
Explainer: DVB-S/DVB-S2 – DVB stands for Digital Video Broadcasting. DVB is a global set of standards for digital television, established in the 1990s. DVB-S was introduced in the late 1990s in the UK and Ireland with the arrival of Sky Digital. DVB-S2 is an updated standard, introduced two decades ago, allowing for an increase of available bitrate over the same satellite transponder bandwidth. That facilitated the launch of bandwidth-hungry HD channels on satellite.
Newer Freesat receivers unaffected
Freesat HD and 4K boxes, which are now the norm aren’t affected, but may experience a short blip when services are switched from DVB-S to DVB-S2.
This normally happens during night time hours, so will go unnoticed for most users.
How the change will affect Sky satellite users
Sky is already transferring its own channels to the DVB-S2 broadcast standard, effectively killing off older receivers which can no longer receive channels.
However, this latest change affects a number of third-party channels that are broadcast on Sky’s satellite TV platform, but aren’t owned or operated by Sky.
Sky+HD, Sky HD and Sky Q support DVB-S2 and won’t be affected. Older first generation boxes will lose access.
Sky continues to urge affected subscribers to upgrade their aging receivers to Sky Q to continue watching channels.
Older boxes on sale on eBay useless
As a result of the ongoing changes, users are trying to sell their old Sky and Freesat boxes on platforms such as eBay. However, as more channels switch to DVB-S2, the receivers can no longer be used.
Context: why are these changes taking place?
The ongoing conversion of satellite transponders from DVB-S to DVB-S2 and the ending of SD/HD simulcasts reduces the number of transponders required to deliver Sky and Freesat channels to viewers. This in turn reduces costs for the broadcast industry.
At present, the three satellites used to deliver services (Astra 2E, 2F and 2G) are around five years away from their end of life. Reducing the payload may allow the satellites to remain in service for longer, or allow owner SES to move one satellite and consolidate the remaining services on the remaining two satellites.
As UK broadcasters move to streaming, some broadcasters are anticipating that there might not be demand for a new generation of broadcast satellites to replace the current fleet. Sky is already pushing more viewers to streaming platforms.
Technical details
The affected channels are broadcast on Astra 2G, transponder 65. (11082 H). This transponder is operated by Arqiva on behalf of broadcasters.
The transponder currently broadcasts in the DVB-S standard, but is due to be upgraded to DVB-S2 imminently.
- Freesat EPG channels on this transponder are: Blaze and Gems TV
- Sky EPG channels on this transponder are: Home Shop TV, Now 80s, Zee Cinema, Now 70s, Rewind TV, Sikh Channel, Eman Channel, Gems TV, Blaze, Ideal World SD, Zee TV SD, QTV Religious, Sky History SD, Sky History+1, Sky History 2 SD, Crime+Investigation SD, Crime+Investigation+1 and Inspiration TV.
- Ideal World SD is due to be removed shortly anyway, after it switched to HD last Monday on both Sky and Freesat.
- Ahead of the transponder change, Sky Sports Racing has transferred to 11308 V, allowing it to be remain broadcasting in the DVB-S broadcast standard, for the benefit of users of older satellite receivers in commercial premises.
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By: Marc Thornham | Image: RXTV/stock composite