The corporation has ramped up warnings for affected households who face losing access to ten BBC channels early next year.
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It’s all part of a massive satellite project to do away with older SD (standard definition) channels and make all BBC channels available in HD only.
Most people have HD-capable satellite boxes which will continue to show the stations as normal.
But for anyone with older SD-only kit, they will no longer be able to watch their favourite shows.
So if you have a dated Freesat or Sky box you may be affected – in which case you’ll need to upgrade your kit.
“We are urging impacted homes to act now to avoid disappointment and loss of any BBC channels,” the broadcaster said.
“Demand for our help scheme resources that launched in March this year has been much lower than expected and we believe the number of homes still using SD-only satellite equipment is now far lower than anticipated.”
The following channels will cease broadcasting on January 8, 2024:
- BBC One SD
- BBC Two SD
- BBC Three SD
- BBC Four SD
- CBBC SD
- CBeebies SD
- BBC News SD
- BBC Scotland SD
- BBC ALBA SD
- BBC Parliament SD
The BBC and Sky are offering a range of support to customers (more information listed below).
How do I know if my TV is affected?
The BBC has been alerting viewers for sometime now with big notices on its channels.
It reads: “From Monday 8th January 2024, all BBC TV and radio services will only be available on HD-enabled satellite equipment.
“To continue to receive BBC services, you now need to upgrade.”
Remember, the move is only happening on satellite – so Freesat and Sky – not other means of watching TV such as via aerial on Freeview or cable with Virgin Media.
Sky has listed the exact models that will lose BBC services.
Digibox
- 4F01 to 4F08 (Amstrad)
- 4E01 to 4E05 (Grundig)
- 9F01 to 9F08 and 9F0A (Pace)
- 0F01 to 0F05 (Panasonic)
- 4E06 to 4E08 (Thomson)
Sky+
- 4F2001 to 4F2006 (Amstrad)
- 4F2101 to 4F2118 and 9F2101 to 9F2137 (Amstrad or Pace)
- 9F2001 to 9F2024, PVR2, 9F2201 to 9F2235, 9F2301 to 9F2339 (Pace)
- 4E2101 to 4E2141 (Thomson)
There is also a quick trick to check whether your box is impacted.
Freesat owners can go to channel 799 which will tell you.
Sky owners should go to channel 105 – if you see “Channel 5 HD” listed then you’re equipment is fine.
But if you simply see “Channel 5” with no mention of HD on the end then you will need to upgrade.
Am I entitled to a refund?
No, refunds for older kit is not being issued – but you can get support towards an upgrade.
The BBC is offering vouchers for vulnerable viewers towards their upgrade.
Meanwhile, Sky is giving its customers a free upgrade to Sky Q.
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