• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
Homes urged to ‘act now’ to avoid losing TV channels in final warning

Home> News> Tech News

Updated 09:42 15 Feb 2024 GMTPublished 09:41 15 Feb 2024 GMT

Homes urged to ‘act now’ to avoid losing TV channels in final warning

The changes are all to do with the BBC shutting down the SD satellite signal.

Prudence Wade

Prudence Wade

A big change has happened to how broadcast TV channels work in the UK, and loads of people have no idea.

For years and years, loads of channels in the UK have been broadcast in two versions - an old-school 'standard definition' or SD version, and a newer HD version that looks way better.

Plenty of set-top boxes now default to the HD versions since they're an improvement in every way, but until recently you did have the option of watching either - no matter how you connected.

Advert

Stefano Madrigali / Getty

In early January, though, the BBC turned off its SD channels by satellite, so that you can now only watch the HD versions over the air. The SD versions are still available through Freeview, though - they're only being canned over satellite.

If you're stuck on a really old TV with no recent set-top box, you might now be finding that when you try to watch SD versions of BBC One or BBC Two, you're getting a 'Channel closed' message or some other error that arrives when the channel itself doesn't show up.

Well, sadly there's not much you can do about this, unless you upgrade your hardware to a TV and/or Freeview box that supports HD content (which will certainly be anything launched in the last few years).

Advert

You can call the HD Satellite Upgrade helpline to get guidance and a clear explanation of everything - but it closes this week.

The number you can call is 0330 123 1876, and you better do so before 5pm on 16 February, because that's the point when the line will stop being used and you won't be able to access support anymore.

juanma hache / Getty

From the BBC's point of view, this will doubtless free up a lot of resources that it's been dedicating to the ever-shrinking pool of people still watching in SD quality, but one can imagine that some of those people are less than pleased right now.

Advert

In practice, this will be a welcome upgrade once you commit to it, of course - the difference between the flaky SD satellite experience and the easy convenience of HD through an affordable Freeview box is pretty stark.

However, it's also not free, no matter how you look at it, so there will be people who feel this wasn't a necessary change and they're being forced to pay to upgrade when they were perfectly happy before.

Featured Image Credit: Manuel Breva Colmeiro/ The Good Brigade/ Getty
TV

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

2 mins ago
3 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • 2 mins ago

    Fake dentist who treated 'dozens' of patients arrested after worrying Google searches were exposed

    Fake it till you make it, or not in this case

    Science
  • 3 mins ago

    Every citizen who would be safe from draft if US go to war follow WW3 warning from Russian general

    People might be drafted to fight in a potential third World War

    News
  • an hour ago

    Shocking cost of riding in self-driving ‘Robotaxi' as Elon Musk finally launches controversial vehicle

    Many have been left stunned by the price

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    Eye-watering cost of Jeff Bezos' wedding to Lauren Sanchez 'revealed' as protests heat up

    The couple are rumored to be tying the knot in Venice later this month

    News
  • Urgent warning issued to 1,000,000 US drivers to avoid gas stations amid toxic air
  • Apple issues urgent warning to 400,000,000 iPhone users with popular app downloaded to act now
  • YouTube TV slammed as a 'scam' after rumors over 20 major channels are being removed
  • Anonymous issue warning over Donald Trump and Elon Musk as they urge people to act now 'before it's too late'