Warning as millions of satellite TV viewers could lose access to BBC channels soon

Satellite TV viewers are being told to check their box as the BBC prepares to upgrade its standard definition channel in favour of its high definition ones only.

The move will affect anyone with an older Freesat or Freesat from Sky box that doesn’t support high definition – they may have to buy a new box if they wish to continue watching channels by the broadcaster.

Viewers will start to lose their local BBC One programming between January and February this year but will lose all BBC channels by 2024, though it’s not clear how many households will be affected.

Channels that have already started the switch off are BBC One Northern Ireland, BBC One South, and BBC Two. BBC One East and BBC One East Midlands are due to switch off from next week. Other regional and national channels will switch off throughout February.

The major British broadcaster says it needs to switch off its SD channels in order to launch more of its HD versions.

The BBC’s Director for Distribution and Business Development, Kieran Clifton, said: “This is not a decision that’s been taken lightly – indeed, it’s been one of the key reasons why we’ve held back so long in our HD rollout plans until now.

“However, the number of SD-only satellite devices is now at a much-reduced level so to hold back the closure of our SD channels any longer would deny the benefit of all our channels being available in HD to a much greater proportion of the audience.”

If you’re unsure whether you’re affected, there is a special channel that allows you to check.

Freesat customers can go to channel 799 on your TV. If your set-top box is fine, it should display a, ‘Good news!’ message. But if it says, ‘Sorry, your satellite set-top box is not capable of receiving high definition services’, then you’ll need to get a replacement to continue receiving BBC channels in future.

Old Sky SD-only devices can check by going to channel 105. If you see the message, ‘Channel 5 HD’ then you’re fine, but if it shows the message, ‘Channel 5’, then you can only receive SD channels.

There’s also a limited help scheme for people who need extra support.