The BBC will no longer provide its traditional range of additional summer Red Button video streams via satellite during major events such as Wimbledon and Glastonbury.

Instead, from summer 2023 onwards, much of the BBC’s extra event coverage will move online to BBC iPlayer, marking another significant step in the broadcaster’s gradual transition away from traditional satellite broadcasting and towards internet-delivered services.

For many years, Sky and Freesat viewers have become used to seeing extra temporary BBC Red Button channels appear during major summer events.

During Wimbledon, these additional streams would often provide live coverage from multiple courts simultaneously, allowing viewers to choose matches beyond the main BBC One and BBC Two broadcasts.

At major events such as the London 2012 Olympics, the BBC operated more than a dozen temporary Red Button feeds showing different sports and live events at the same time.

Glastonbury coverage also regularly benefited from extra Red Button streams featuring performances from multiple stages across the festival site.

However, after more than two decades of enhanced satellite Red Button broadcasting, the BBC will now scale back these additional satellite feeds.

What Will Change in 2023?

The BBC has confirmed that only a single “Wimbledon Extra” Red Button channel will remain available via traditional broadcast television during Wimbledon 2023.

Additional court coverage and alternative streams will instead be delivered through BBC iPlayer and internet-connected devices.

This means viewers using older Sky boxes or early Freesat receivers may lose access to the full range of extra Wimbledon streams previously available through satellite television.

Viewers with newer internet-connected devices such as:

• Sky Q
• Sky Glass
• Sky Stream
• Modern Freesat receivers
• Virgin Media V6 and 360 boxes
• Freeview Play devices

will still be able to access additional coverage, but only through integrated BBC iPlayer services rather than dedicated satellite channels.

Glastonbury and Other Events

The changes will also affect BBC coverage of Glastonbury Festival.

Previous years often included extra Red Button feeds dedicated to different stages and performances. Under the new system, most of this additional coverage will move exclusively online through BBC iPlayer.

The BBC has increasingly expanded its online Glastonbury coverage in recent years, with multiple live streams, UHD feeds and on-demand performances available through iPlayer.

In fact, BBC figures later showed that Glastonbury 2023 would generate record-breaking streaming audiences through BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds, demonstrating the broadcaster’s growing focus on digital delivery.

The History of BBC Red Button Streams

The BBC Red Button service originally evolved from the BBC’s Ceefax and digital interactive television services during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

As digital satellite television expanded, the BBC began using spare satellite capacity to offer multiple temporary event streams during major sporting events and festivals.

For satellite viewers, these extra channels became one of the major advantages of digital television during the 2000s.

Wimbledon coverage became especially popular, with viewers able to switch between courts using the red button on Sky and Freesat remote controls.

The BBC also used Red Button streams extensively during:

• Olympic Games coverage
• Glastonbury Festival
• Commonwealth Games
• Snooker tournaments
• Formula One coverage
• News multiscreen services

Over time, however, internet streaming began replacing the need for dedicated satellite channels.

A Sign of the Future

The removal of additional satellite Red Button streams will likely be seen as another sign of the BBC’s long-term move towards internet-first broadcasting.

Streaming allows the BBC to offer far more live feeds and on-demand content without paying for expensive temporary satellite capacity each summer.

For viewers with modern connected televisions and receivers, the transition may barely be noticed.

However, for users of older satellite equipment, summer 2023 will mark the end of an era for one of digital satellite television’s most distinctive interactive features.

If you want to watch BBC iPlayer in Spain then you will need to use a VPN or Smart DNS service :

BBC iPlayer in Spain

How to set up and use an Amazon Firestick in Spain for BBC iPlayer

How to add BBC iPlayer to your Amazon Firestick when outside the UK