Sky will end broadcasts to SD boxes at the end of next month, while eight further channels have been delisted from first generation Freesat receivers.
- WBD’s DMAX, Quest and Food Network channels no longer available on older Freesat receivers.
- Sky says its SD boxes will continue to lose channels during the summer with all remaining Sky channels closing on 31st August 2024.
- Freesat hasn’t publicly named a date from when its SD boxes will no longer work at all.
Older Freesat receivers continue to lose access to channels, with DMAX, Quest, Quest Red, Food Network and their respective +1 channels no longer available.
The Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) channels are preparing for a technical change in the way they are broadcast on satellite, which isn’t supported by older boxes.
First generation Freesat SD boxes were widely on sale between 2008 and 2013 and in some regions were installed in homes as part of the original digital switchover help scheme.
Support for older satellite receivers effectively ended when the BBC announced its plans to withdraw standard definition (SD) services from satellite. Since the beginning of the year, more and more channels have become unavailable, either by going HD-only or remaining in SD, but broadcasting in the newer DVB-S2 standard, unsupported by older receivers.
The above channel removals are in addition to the closure of music channels 4Music, The Box, Kerrang, Kiss and Magic TV, which affected all satellite viewers.
A help scheme operated by the BBC and Freesat to upgrade homes to HD satellite ended earlier this year. Reports suggest demand was low, indicating usage of first generation receivers was negligible.
However, Freesat hasn’t publicly named a date when SD boxes will completely fail to work.
Sky confirms August end date
In contrast, Sky has confirmed the timeline for the closure of its service for users of its first-generation boxes.
Earlier this year, RXTV reported how Sky was killing off its older, first generation of digiboxes. The TV operator now says that all remaining Sky channels will close on SD boxes by 31st August 2024.
Sky has automatically cancelled subscriptions to Sky Cinema or Sky Sports for users of older satellite receivers.
However, Sky has clarified that subscribers will need to take action regarding the remaining entertainment channels.
Affected users should call one of the following telephone numbers to either terminate their existing Sky TV subscription early (without termination charges) or to arrange an upgrade to Sky Q to continue watching all channels.
- 0333 759 5121 (UK)
- 0818 500 068 (ROI)
Viewers who don’t cancel will continue to be charged the full price, despite gradually losing access to channels.
How do I know if I’m affected by the Freesat & Sky SD switch-off?
If your Sky or Freesat receiver can’t access the BBC (or RTÉ, VMTV, TG4 on Sky Ireland), then your receiver needs replacing.
You can either upgrade to a newer receiver (details below) or switch to an alternative TV platform, such as Freeview (UK) or Saorview (Ireland), which uses an aerial instead of a dish. Other alternatives include internet-delivered TV services, such as Sky Stream (UK/Ireland) or Freely (UK).
Sky Q, Sky+HD, Freesat HD and Freesat 4K can continue to be used to receive satellite TV.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: RXTV, logos: Sky & Everyone TV Devices Limited