NHK the news broadcaster for Japan, have announced that they will soon be stopping the transmission of their NHK World TV SD (standard definition) channel. NHK World TV HD will still be transmitted, but will only be available on Sky HD boxes, Freesat HD boxes, and generic HD satellite receivers.

It is with our great regret that we have to inform you, at this very short notice, that the SD [Standard Definition] channels of NHK World TV will be terminated at 23:59 on September 30, 2011 (GMT) on Friday, on both BSkyB and Freesat. From October 1, NHK World TV will be available only on HD channels, on Channel 507 on BSkyB service, and on Channel 209 on Freesat.