BBC Four HD and CBeebies HD temporarily suspended on Freeview
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2022 1:19 am
Viewers retuning find on-screen messages advising them to switch to the standard definition versions of BBC Four HD and CBeebies HD
It affects Freeview and YouView viewers who previously watched BBC Four HD on channel 106 and CBeebies HD on channel 205. They will find both channels are not available.
The BBC confirmed at the beginning of the month that both HD channels would continue broadcasting on Freeview beyond the end of June. Both BBC Four HD and CBeebies HD faced the loss of their Freeview slots due to the closure of the COM7 multiplex to may way for 5G services.
At the time, the BBC explained that provision had been made for BBC Four HD and CBeebies HD to move into available capacity that has been newly identified on the PSB3 multiplex, which the BBC operates.
Freeview then confirmed that on 29th June, both channels would require a retune.
The BBC has now amended the wording of its announcement. It now says these changes are “coming soon”, without committing to a date. It has not explained why there has been a delay. An off-EPG test transmission of BBC Four HD on the new capacity was observed earlier this month in the London region. Since then, no further tests have been observed.
For the time being, both BBC Four and CBeebies will be unavailable in HD on Freeview or YouView.
As previously confirmed, BBC News HD closes on Freeview on Thursday 30th June. BBC News continues to be available in standard definition on channel 231. Smart TV users can access a high quality feed through the iPlayer. Alternatively, BBC News HD continues on Sky, Freesat and Virgin Media.
Following the closure of COM7, there is no additional capacity for further HD channels.