The BBC will be closing the SD versions of all our TV channels on satellite – the closedown will take place on 8th January 2024.

If you see a banner telling you to upgrade you need to act now. (Note that the BBC did remove the banner over the Christmas period but it has now returned on all programmes.)

For several months now, the BBC has been running a variety of messaging – on our BBC One SD channel on satellite, as well as online – to let affected viewers know about the impact of the channel closures and where they can go to get more information about how to upgrade.

The BBC did run a “help” sceheme, yet demand for our help scheme resources that launched in March this year has been much lower than expected and the BBC believe the number of homes still using SD-only satellite equipment is now far lower than anticipated.

Which channels are closing?

The SD channels that will be closing are as follows:

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

Red Button 1 SD

From 8th January 2024, there will be a message displayed advising that the channel is closed. This message will be displayed on screen until 31st March 2024, after which the channel will no longer appear on the EPG.

BBC channels on Freeview televisions and set-top boxes are not affected and do not have to upgrade – and all our channels, along with a wide range of on-demand content, are available on BBC iPlayer on smart TVs, mobile, tablets and PC’s.

What you need to do?

You need an HD-enabled set-top box so you can continue to watch BBC services (plus with the added benefit of improved picture and audio quality.)

There are a variety of options available, all easy to install – from the range of Freesat 4K devices, some with a built-in recorder, to the Manhattan SX box which is the most affordable option. (The Sat and PC Guy can supply and install and demonstrate these boxes for you, asssuming that you are in his service area)

If you are in a fringe signal area, like Spain, then you may be watching the BBC channels in SD as they are more easily available than the BBC HD channel signals. This may mean that you need your satellite dish realigning, a better LNB, or maybe even a new correct size satellite dish.

Since 2012, the recommended size of satellite dish for the Costa Blanca North / Valencia area of Spain has been 125x135cm. Any satellite dish smaller than this may struggle to receive the BBC HD channels.

(Many people we have visited recently have had the incorrect sized satellite dish installed, meaning loss of BBC HD channels.)

So if this is you, and you are struggling to receive the BBC HD channels, please contact us (The Sat and PC Guy) so we can try and help you regain reception of the BBC HD channels.