UKTV’s W channel will no longer be fully part of a Sky subscription, ahead of a free-to-air relaunch of the channel.
Encryption of the channel’s standard definition and +1 satellite feed is due to end next week, according to Sky. This will make the channel free-to-air for the first time, although it won’t appear on the Freesat channel list until 28th March.
The HD version of the channel will remain behind the paywall and part of a Sky subscription. Sky viewers will continue to be able to access W on the usual channel numbers.
W currently shows a mix of medical and maternity-themed reality shows, plus Australian and Canadian versions of MasterChef, alongside re-runs of shows including Tipping Point, The Bill, Miranda and My Family.
Last week, Ofcom issued the channel a licence to broadcast on Freeview.
W and W+1 will become free-to-air on Astra 2E, via the following parameters:
Frequency: 12129 Polarisation: Vertical Mode: DVB-S QPSK Symbol Rate: 27500 (27.5 Mbaud) FEC: 5/6
W (Ireland version):
Frequency: 11082 Polarisation: Horizontal Mode: DVB-S QPSK Symbol Rate: 22000 (22.0 Mbaud) FEC: 5/6
Updated 21/03/2022 with details of W (Ireland)’s satellite frequency