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Ahead of Sky finally withdrawing support for older ‘digiboxes’, various free-to-air broadcasters are making changes that could affect all satellite viewers



This month sees a flurry of activity as various broadcasters make changes to how their channels are carried on satellite.

While older SD boxes, including the original Sky Digital ‘digiboxes’ will permanently lose more channels, even users of newer HD receivers, including Sky Q and Freesat HD boxes may temporarily lose services.

The changes relate to ITV, STV, Channel 4 and S4C’s signals on satellite. Some channels are moving to new frequencies and some services switching to the newer DVB-S2 standard (Digital Video Broadcasting – Satellite 2nd generation).

Most HD satellite receivers should access updates sent out by Sky and Freesat and adjust automatically. Updates include changes to the Electronic Programme Guide (EPG). The EPG includes instructions to the receiver to tune to a particular frequency to access any given channel.

But RXTV has heard reports that some receivers have missed an update. This may result in the loss of channels. Users who manually tune in services (for example to access a different ITV region) may also lose services.

ITV has confirmed that changes to its satellite services will complete in October. S4C completed changes last week. STV and Channel 4 changes are ongoing.

What to do if you’re missing channels?

• Ensure your HD satellite receiver remains plugged in to receive over-the-air updates.
  
• A reboot will normally restore access to channels. Freesat boxes also have the option to complete a rescan/retune.
  
• If this fails, it may indicate a different problem, unrelated to the changes described here. If you’re a Sky subscriber, please contact Sky. If you use Freesat, please contact a local satellite installer/specialist.

What changes are broadcasters currently doing?

ITV is currently in the process of migrating some of its HD channels to other satellite transponders. The changes comes ahead of it switching off SD channels next month.

• Latest ITV satellite manual tuning frequencies. You’ll only need this information if you manually tune your satellite receiver to access another ITV region, or live in the Republic of Ireland, where ITV isn’t on the main channel list.

Channel 4 is currently reorganising the load on its satellite transponders. In the past week, it has begun the process of consolidating its portfolio of free-to-air SD channels on one transponder. Unlike the BBC and ITV, HD simulcasts of Channel 4’s offshoot services (like E4 and Film4) are behind a paywall, meaning Channel 4 has to maintain SD services for free-to-air viewers.

• Latest Channel 4 satellite manual tuning frequencies

Sky confirms exact date for ITV satellite changes



Two weeks ago, ITV announced it would be closing its last remaining standard definition (SD) channels on satellite in October. At the time, it didn’t confirm an exact date.

However, Sky has now confirmed that its satellite viewers will lose access to ITV1 SD and ITV2 SD on Thursday 3rd October.

From 3rd October 2024, ITV channels will be exclusively available in HD-only on satellite. This comes nearly nine months after the BBC switched off its SD satellite channels. All ITV HD channels are available on a free-to-air basis.

The closure coincides with Sky’s withdrawal of support for its oldest satellite receivers. But viewers with Sky Q and Sky+HD boxes will also lose access to ITV SD channels, found on channel 803 and 816 on the channel list. Sky Q and Sky+HD already offer the full ITV regional service in HD on 103.

For the vast majority of Freesat users, there’s likely to be little change. All newer Freeview HD boxes already only list ITV HD channels. Older Freesat SD boxes continue to lose access to channels.

Back in January, ITV already cut the number of regional versions of ITV1 SD on satellite to just four, meaning viewers in most ITV regions could only receive regional news in HD.

ITV is currently reconfiguring how its remaining satellite TV channels are broadcast on satellite. Some services are changing frequency as they move to a new satellite transponder. Changes should be automatically applied to satellite receivers. However, if you lose ITV HD channels on satellite, you may need to reboot your satellite receiver. Freesat users may also be able to start a rescan on their boxes.

ITV will continue to broadcast in standard definition (SD) on Freeview. ITV is already HD-only on Sky Stream and Sky Glass.