ITV is ending standard definition broadcasts via satellite this month, but there’s confusing advice to affected viewers.
- ITV1 SD and ITV2 SD ending on satellite, but self-help guides published online contain out-of-date advice.
- In reality, less than 1% of satellite users are affected.
Within days, all ITV channels on satellite will be HD-only. The vast majority of Sky and Freesat users already have access to HD TV, leaving a small number of affected users, estimated by ITV to be less than 1% of all users, affected by the closure.
Anyone with Sky Q or even Sky Stream/Glass (which uses the internet instead of satellite) is not affected. And almost all Freesat receivers in use today are HD compatible.
The ITV standard definition (SD) switch-off date, reported by RXTV on Friday, is coming up on 3rd October.
However, a number of self-help guides published over the weekend contain out-of-date information.
Freesat self-help checker no longer available
The Sun told its readers this week that Freesat viewers can check their equipment by going to channel 799.
Not possible
The channel 799 checker was part of a BBC-Freesat help scheme to assist viewers affected by BBC SD switch-off. ITV was not involved in the help scheme.
However, it was removed earlier this year following completion of the BBC SD switch-off. This means this self-help option no longer exists. Confusingly, Freesat currently still has this old information published on its website, which may explain how this advice was provided.
The easiest way to find out is by seeing if BBC channels are still available on your Freesat box. Still got BBC One on 101? Then you’ll still be able to watch ITV going forward. If BBC channels aren’t available, then you’ll also lose ITV this month.
Freesat has been updating its Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) as ITV makes changes to satellite transmissions ahead of the SD switch-off. If you have lost ITV, but have a Freesat HD box, rescan/reboot your box. Ensure you don’t unplug your Freesat box when you’re not using it – it will need to receive over-the-air updates so you don’t miss out on channels.
GB News cites out-of-date instructions for Sky users
Meanwhile, GB News claimed at the weekend that if Sky viewers see BBC One broadcast in standard definition (SD), “you will be impacted”. Likewise, according to GB News, “if you see a warning screen from the BBC that reads ‘This service is now closed’, you’ll also be affected”.
What’s the reality?
Following the end of BBC SD broadcasts in early 2024, Sky viewers will neither see BBC One in SD nor see a warning message. The last traces of BBC SD channels closed in January and the warning message removed before Easter. Therefore the advice is wrong.
BBC channels on Sky are now HD only. So if you can access BBC One on Sky channel 101, you’re not affected by the ITV changes.
But if you have Sky Q or Sky+HD and have recently lost TV channels, try rebooting your receiver. This is because there are also changes to how ITV broadcasts its HD channels on satellite, which may result in blank screens on receivers that missed out on the EPG update. If the problem persists, contact Sky for support.
Anyone missing BBC channels on Sky since early 2024 will also lose ITV. And you’ll also lose access to all Sky subscription channels on your next billing date.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: Composite, own image & logos © Sky / Everyone TV