Following the BBCs lead of switching off SD channels in favour of HD channels, ITV have today confirmed that it would be closing four standard definition ITV1 regions on satellite.

ITV will

, however, be also launching two new ITV1 HD regions, and thus offering a full set of ITV1 HD regions on satellite.

ITV Border Scotland and Channel Television viewers will will see their regional ITV1 go HD on channel 103, being the final ITV1 regions to be transmitted in HD. ITV have also confirmed that the SD signal in these areas will be switched off during January 2024, meaning viewers will need to upgrade to a newer set-top box in order to receive the channel.

ITV have also confirmed that they will close the standard definition versions of Wales and UTV. These regions will become HD-only on satellite.

ITV1 viewers who do not upgrade to the HD channels, will begin to see an alternative regional version of ITV1 until all SD broadcasts are terminated.

Statement from ITV regarding the SD channel closure and HD only regions:

Information for ITV satellite viewers with SD-only set-top boxes in Channel, Border Scotland, UTV and Wales Regions

Here at ITV, we are making some major improvements to complete our upgrade to all-HD on satellite for ITV1 (bringing all the ITV regions and sub-regions which haven’t yet upgraded into HD) and all our other linear channels, bringing the best picture quality to all satellite viewers.

Following the successful transition to HD on satellite in most ITV regions, ITV1 viewers in the Channel and Border Scotland regions will be upgraded to HD on satellite in November 2023, meaning that all regions in the country will now support HD viewing for ITV1.

Most viewers don’t need to do anything to take advantage of these changes and will find the right regional HD service at button 103.

From January 2024, households with an SD-only satellite set-top box in Border Scotland, UTV, Wales and Channel will still receive ITV in the usual way but will need to upgrade to a High Definition (HD) satellite receiver to continue to see the correct regional news and other regional content we provide for those regions.

This affects a very small number of people with SD-only set-top boxes typically older than ten years. Around 98% of digital satellite homes across Sky and Freesat can already receive HD channels, and these changes are taking place in only a small number of areas.

You can upgrade your box by contacting your provider. It is easy to do and should take no more than two weeks. If you are unsure if you have an SD-only box your provider will also be able to help.