Eden drops Sky satellite encryption...

[dutchman]

Channel preparing to launch on Freeview, Freesat and Freely in the coming weeks



Eden is no longer technically a pay TV channel after encryption was dropped at just after 10am on Monday.

The move follows confirmation from the channel’s owner UKTV in September that the channel would be going free-to-air in the coming weeks. On its arrival on Freeview, Freesat and Freely, Eden will become U&Eden, with a refreshed logo and programme line-up.

Viewers using Sky+HD or Sky Q can now access the channel without an active Sky subscription or viewing card. Eden’s timeshift channel Eden+1 is also now free-to-air.

Freesat users still have to wait before Eden is officially added to the channel list, but can technically manually add the channel via ‘non-Freesat mode’ (see below). Eden is broadcast in standard definition only on satellite.

There’s no change for viewers on Virgin Media, Sky Stream & Sky Glass. The ‘closed’ nature of these TV platforms means you’ll still need a valid subscription to watch Eden.

Eden and Eden+1 satellite manual tuning parameters:

Satellite: Astra 2E
Frequency: 12129
Polarisation: Vertical
Symbol Rate: 27500 (27.5 Mbaud)
FEC: 5/6
Mode: DVB-S QPSK
Service ID: 6502 (Eden) 25103 (Eden+1)

Information correct at the time of publication. Parameters may change at short or no notice.

GUIDE: Using non-Freesat mode to add channels (also called ‘manual mode’ on newer receivers)

[dutchman]

Sharp-eyed readers may have noticed I only cover free-to-air channels in this forum? That is because I object in principle to pay-TV.

Yes, I do own a satellite receiver. No, I don't pay a subscription to Sky.

[rebbonk]

[dutchman]

U&Eden: not for all Freeview users



UKTV’s factual entertainment channel U&Eden is now live on Freeview and Freesat – but availability varies considerably.

On Freeview, U&Eden is now live on Freeview channel 57, but only for viewers with Freeview Play or Freeview HD receivers. U&Dave Ja Vu, the timeshift of U&Dave is now on channel 74, replacing U&Yesterday+1.

On Freesat, U&Eden is now available on channel 160. The channel, previously simply known as Eden, continues to be available on Sky and Virgin Media.

U&Eden showcases factual and factual entertainment series across genres including natural history, science, engineering and lifestyle. Titles include Expedition with Steve Backshall, Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, Attenborough’s Natural Curiosities, Abandoned Engineering and Inside the Ambulance.

Not all Freeview users will be able to access the channel, though. U&Eden has taken a slot on Freeview’s only national DVB-T2 multiplex, which means older Freeview boxes won’t be able to receive the channel.

Can I get U&Eden on Freeview?

The channel is exclusively available on newer TVs and boxes that support Freeview Play and Freeview HD.

If your Freeview TV has BBC One HD on channel 101, then your TV is DVB-T2 compatible. You may need to retune your device to get U&Eden on channel 57. You may still see U&Dave Ja Vu on channel 57 if you haven’t retuned.

This may involve doing a full channel rescan that replaces your old channel list. This is recommended, as other changes to Freeview’s channel line-up have also taken place.

• The channel is broadcast in standard definition (SD).
  
• It is also available to viewers on relay transmitters, who typically receive a smaller range of Freeview channels.

[dutchman]

It beats me how anyone can stand to watch a non-HD channel, especially one which specialises in documentaries?

[dutchman]

Sharp-eyed readers may have noticed I only cover free-to-air channels in this forum? That is because I object in principle to pay-TV.

Yes, I do own a satellite receiver. No, I don't pay a subscription to Sky.

I've just been reminded of another reason I don't subscribe to Sky or Virgin, horror-stories of people trying to cancel their service after having subscribed.