Last updated: 18/04/2024
Major Astra 28.2/5 satellite frequency changes of interest to viewers in the UK and Ireland updated on a weekly basis.
Astra 2E orbits at 28.5°E, whereas Astra 2F and 2G are located at 28.2°E.
SEEN ON TV pre-launch testing
17/04/2024 – Teleshopping channel SEEN ON TV is coming to both Sky satellite and Freesat. Test transmissions coming to 11686 V (SR 23000, FEC: 2/3, DVB-S2, Service ID: 55300).
Sky transponder change
17/04/2024 – Sky Sports Mix HD, Sky Sports News HD, Sky Sports Action HD, Sky Sports F1 HD, Sky News HD, Sky Sports Cricket HD, Sky Comedy HD, Sky Crime HD and STV HD (Tayside) have moved from transponder 20 (12090V) to transponder 21 (12110H).
GREAT! romance launches Irish ad-version
16/04/2024 – GREAT! romance ROI is now live on Sky Ireland 319 and 11307 V
Viaplay Sports becomes Premier Sports
09/04/2024 – Viaplay Sports 1 and 2 have been handed over to Premier Sports. Details…
TG4 SD has closed
08/04/2024 – Sky has discontinued broadcasts of Ireland’s TG4 in standard definition. It is now HD only in 12363V
Home Shop TV launches
04/04/2024 – new on Sky channel 661 and 11345 H.
Sporty Stuff TV has now closed
01/04/2024 – The channel closed overnight and is no longer available on 11523 H
WION HD reinstated
28/03/2024 – WION HD has returned following a week’s absence from satellite. (11641 H & Sky channel 519).
Bloomberg HD completes transponder move
27/03/2024 – Bloomberg HD has now moved to 11671 H (SR 23000, FEC 2/3 DVB-S2)
BBC clears transponder
26/03/2024 – All traces of the BBC’s standard definition channels have now been removed from 10773 H
WION HD removed
21/03/2024 – India-based news channel WION HD has dropped off air (11641 H & Sky channel 519).
France 24 English HD prepares to move transponder
19/03/2024 – France 24 English HD is currently being dual-illumined on old and new frequencies.
The channel’s new tuning parameters are:
- Satellite: Astra 2E
- Frequency: 11385
- Polarisation: Horizontal
- Symbol Rate: 29500
- FEC: 8/9
- Mode: DVB-S2 8PSK
- Service ID: 53700
Daystars ceases dual-illumination; Viaplay 1 prepares to change transponder
19/03/2024 – Daystar HD’s dual illumination (see 07/03/2024) has now ended without completion of a transponder move. In its place Viaplay Sports 1 HD is now broadcasting and is preparing to change to the following parameters:
- Satellite: Astra 2G
- Frequency: 11671
- Polarisation: Horizontal
- Symbol Rate: 23000
- FEC: 2/3
- Mode: DVB-S2 8PSK
- Service ID: 50251 (Viaplay 1 HD)
Dangal prepares second transponder change this year
19/03/2024 – Dangal, the channel that replaced Foodxp, is preparing to change transponders for the second time this year. It is now dual-illuminated on both old and new transponders (Astra 2G transponder 65 and Astra 2F 91). The new transponder is UK spot beam, whereas previously, Dangal has been available on a Europe-wide beam.
- Satellite: Astra 2F
- Frequency: 11494
- Polarisation: Horizontal
- Symbol Rate: 22000
- FEC: 5/6
- Mode: DVB-S QPSK
- Service ID: 22312 (Dangal)
Two more transponders about to be cleared
14/03/2024 – Transponders 97 and 98 on Astra 2G (11582H + 11597 V) are about to be cleared of their last remaining channels.
As a result, Zee TV HD and New Media are moving to transponder 67, 11112 H. The transponder recently switched to DVB-S2 (see news item below).
Create & Craft HD, which has been on 11597 V, tp 98 is about to complete its switch to 11385H.
Astra 2G transponder 67 DVB-S2 switch
08/03/2024 – Transponder 67 has this morning switched to DVB-S2. It means channels including GEO News, India Today, Brit Asia TV and MATV National can only be received on HD satellite receivers going forward, despite the channels still broadcasting in SD.
- Frequency: 11112
- Polarisation: H
- Symbol Rate: changed from 22000 to 23000
- FEC: changes from 5/6 to 2/3
- Mode: changed from DVB-S, QPSK to DVB-S2, 8PSK
Create & Craft HD transponder move
07/03/2024 – Create & Craft HD is currently being dual-illuminated on old and new frequencies.
The channel’s new tuning parameters are:
- Satellite: Astra 2E
- Frequency: 11385
- Polarisation: Horizontal
- Symbol Rate: 29000
- FEC: 8/9
- Mode: DVB-S2 8PSK
- Service ID: 53705
TJC HD transponder move
07/03/2024 – TJC HD is currently being dual-illumined on old and new frequencies.
The channel’s new tuning parameters are:
- Satellite: Astra 2E
- Frequency: 11426
- Polarisation: Vertical
- Symbol Rate: 29000
- FEC: 8/9
- Mode: DVB-S2 8PSK
- Service ID: 52570
Bloomberg HD and Daystar HD transponder move
07/03/2024 – Bloomberg HD and Daystar HD are currently being dual-illuminated on old and new frequencies.
- Satellite: Astra 2G
- Frequency: 11671
- Polarisation: Horizontal
- Symbol Rate: 23000
- FEC: 2/3
- Mode: DVB-S2 8PSK
- Service ID: 50261 (Bloomberg HD) and 50250 (Daystar HD)
GREAT! Real starts tests
04/03/2024 – Ahead of the channel launching on 20th March, GREAT! Real is already broadcasting a test schedule.
- Satellite: Astra 2F
- Frequency: 11307
- Polarisation: Vertical
- Symbol Rate: 27500
- FEC: 5/6
- Mode: DVB-S, QPSK
- Service ID: 53335 (GREAT! Real) and 53385 (GREAT! Real+1)
NOW 70s, Dangal, Eman, Ideal World and Gems TV transponder move
29/02/2024 – Five channels are preparing to change satellite frequency in March. NOW 70s, Dangal, Eman, Ideal World and Gems TV are now dual-illuminated on satellite.
NOW 70s, Eman and Dangal are moving from 11582H (Astra 2G 28.2°E transponder 97) to 11082H (Astra 2G transponder 65) as part of a wider clearance of this transponder, which used to also house Talking Pictures and That’s TV.
New Frequency: 11082, Polarisation: Horizontal, Symbol Rate: 22000, FEC: 5/6 Mode: DVB-S QPSK.
- NOW 70s Service ID: 50321
- Dangal Service ID: 50326
- Eman Channel Service ID: 50342
- Gems TV Service ID: 50347
- Ideal World Service ID: 50356
EarthxTV HD and Viaplay 2 HD move transponder
28/02/2024 – Both channels have today completed their move to Astra 2E transponder 114, 11387 V, SR 29500, FEC 8/9, Mode: DVB-S2. UK Spotbeam. SID: 50600 for EarthxTV HD and 50605 for Viaplay 2 HD
Both channels have moved off the pan-European Astra 2G transponder 103 (11671 H).
TG4 HD / Sky Sci-Fi HD new frequency
26/02/2024 – Encrypted channels TG4 HD and Sky Sci-Fi HD are now broadcasting on 12363 V following a transponder move.
Channel 7 returns
26/02/2024 – Channel 7 has returned to Sky 181 after a temporary removal from the Sky EPG. Temporary removals occur if a channel does not meet qualifying technical or financial conditions.
Chart Show Retro starts tests
23/02/2024 – Chart Show Retro has begun full test transmissions including test EPG ahead of its launch on Sky in March.
It’s broadcasting on Astra 2F transponder 111. The parameters are as follows:
- Astra 2F 28.2°E,
- 11344
- Polarisation: Horizontal
- SR: 27500,
- FEC: 5/6
- DVB-S QPSK
- Service ID: 53215
Update: it will launch on Sky on 4th March.
NatGeo HD moves transponder
14/02/2024 – NatGeo HD is now broadcast on 12227 V, SR: 27500, FEC: 2/3, SID 7031
More Sky+HD apps deactivated
14/02/2024 – Launchpad and STB Dev App, which were apps broadcast via satellite to Sky+HD boxes have been discontinued. Data streams were broadcast alongside Sky’s TV services. This follows the discontinuation of a number of interactive apps for Sky+HD boxes last year. Sky+HD boxes have now been reduced to basic TV reception and recording capability.
Channel 7 removed from Sky
13/02/2024 – African channel Channel 7 has been delisted from Sky channel 181. It’s currently unknown when the channel may get relisted. The channel has previously disappeared from Sky when it failed to meet the requirements to broadcast on the platform. (Requirements include either/or technical and financial aspects.)
Talking Pictures preparing to move transponders
13/02/2024 – Talking Pictures is currently dual-illuminated, with the new parameters as follows:
- Astra 2F 28.2°E,
- 11345 V,
- SR: 27500,
- FEC: 5/6
- DVB-S
- Service ID: 55225
That’s TV and That’s 60s are also moving. They have the same parameters as above, but with service IDs 55230 and 55235.
GREAT! movies and GREAT! tv Ireland transponder move
08/02/2024 – Both Irish counterparts of the channels have now moved across to Astra 2F, 11307 V, SR: 27500, FEC: 5/6, where they join the other GREAT! network channels on a single transponder.
GREAT! and POP channels delisted from Freesat
07/02/2024 – These channels are no longer listed on the Freesat EPG. However they can continue to be received on Sky and any generic free-to-air satellite receiver on Astra 2F, 11307 V, SR: 27500, FEC: 5/6.
TalkSport moves transponder
07/02/2024 – Radio station TalkSport is moving to a new transponder. Astra 2G, 11553 H, SR 22000, FEC 5/6 SID: 55198.
STV HD (East – Edinburgh) transponder change
31/01/2024 – The STV HD service for the east of the central belt, covering Edinburgh and surrounding areas has moved transponders. It is now broadcast encrypted on 12168V, DVB-S2, SR: 27500, FEC: 2/3 SID: 6170
Migration from 11538V complete
31/01/2024 – All channels previously broadcast on 11538V have moved to 11523H (DVB-S2, SR 23000, FEC 2/3). This includes SportyStuff HD, WRN Europe, ATN, Ahlebait, PoliticsPunjab and Ayozat TV.
Viaplay Xtra
31/01/2024 – Viaplay Xtra has been removed from 11426V following its removal from the Sky EPG last week. The channel has now been discontinued altogether.
Dual Illumination of minority SD channels in DVB-S2
24/01/2024 – 11523 H now carrying a range of minority channels migrating from 11538 V ahead of their migration from 11538 V.
Channels include ATN, Ahlebait TV and Politics Punjab. Once migration is complete, this will be the first transition of SD channels on to a DVB-S2 transponder on Astra’s satellite fleet at 28° East. It will also be the first time in the UK and Ireland satellite TV markets that SD channels will cease to be available on SD receivers, not because they’ve closed, but moved to DVB-S2, a standard not supported by non-HD receivers.
ITV closes transponder
24/01/2024 – Transponder 54, 10906 V now empty after ITV migrated remaining services to transponder 53.
UKTV Ireland channels move
16/01/2024 – Gold (Ireland), Alibi (Ireland) and W (Ireland) have moved to 12129 V (SR 27500, FEC 5/6, DVB-S, QPSK).
- Gold (Ireland) – Service ID 25120 (Encrypted)
- Alibi (Ireland) – Service ID 25121 (Encrypted)
- W (Ireland) – Service ID 25122 (Free-to-air)
ITV transponder move
16/01/2024 – ITV is completing the migration of its remaining SD channels on to one single transponder (tp 53):
- Frequency: 10891
- Polarisation: Horizontal
- Symbol Rate: 22000
- FEC: 5/6
- Mode: DVB-S/QPSK
The following channels are in the process of moving to this transponder (service ID in brackets):
ITV1 Central West (10120), STV North – Aberdeen (10130), STV East – Edinburgh (10131), ITV1+1 Meridian East (10146), ITV1+1 Granada (10148), ITV2 (10152), ITV4+1 (10166).
All of the above are migrating from transponder 54, 10906V
BBC Radio migration
11/01/2024 – The BBC is closing its DVB-S radio broadcasts on Astra 2E (28.5°E) in stages during a two week period.
New frequencies (DVB-S2 receiver required) are listed on the BBC manual tuning page.
Bauer Radio cessation
13/12/2023 – At 10am Bauer Media withdrew its UK radio stations from Astra 2G (28.2°E).
Affected stations include Absolute Radio, Greatest Hits Radio, Kiss, Magic, Planet Rock. These were previously broadcast on 11553 H (transponder 95).
STV SD and ITV4+1 Transponder Change
13/12/2023 – Two STV SD regions and ITV4+1 are preparing to move transponder on Astra 2E (28.5°E). The new parameters are shown below. Sky and Freesat boxes will automatically update on completion of the transfer.
The migration is part of a plan to combine all remaining ITV and STV standard definition channels on to one transponder (transponder 53) in early 2024.
- Frequency: 10891
- Polarisation: Horizontal
- Symbol Rate: 22000
- FEC: 5/6
- Mode: DVB-S/QPSK
- Service ID: 10130 (STV North [Aberdeen]) and 10131 (STV Central [Edinburgh]) 10166 (ITV4+1)
Zee TV HD Transponder Change
07/12/2023 – Zee TV HD is preparing to move transponder on Astra 2G (28.2°E). The new parameters are shown below. Sky boxes will automatically update on completion of the transfer.
- Frequency: 11582
- Polarisation: Horizontal
- Symbol Rate: 22000 (22.0 MBaud)
- FEC: 5/6
- Mode: DVB-S/QPSK
- Service ID: 52185
New ITV services testing on satellite
28/11/2023 – On Astra 2G (28.2°E), ITV has now added the full set of its channels in HD.
ITV1 HD – Border Scotland
- Frequency: 11097
- Polarisation: Vertical
- Symbol Rate: 23000 (23.0 Mbaud)
- FEC: 3/4
- Mode: DVB-S2 8PSK
- SID: 21060
ITV1 HD – Channel Television
- Frequency: 11053
- Polarisation: Horizontal
- Symbol Rate: 23000 (23.0 Mbaud)
- FEC: 3/4
- Mode: DVB-S2 8PSK
- SID: 20720
ITVBe HD
- Frequency: 11068
- Polarisation: Vertical
- Symbol Rate: 23000 (23.0 Mbaud)
- FEC: 3/4
- Mode: DVB-S2 8PSK
- SID: 20835