Lost ITV1 on Freesat? Channel 111 removed
If you have lost access to your ITV1 SD on Freesat channel number 111, then you are not alone.
In fact, ITV have today closed their ITV1 standard definition (SD) channel on Freesat channel 111.
And tomorrow (Thursday 3rd October 2024), ITV1 SD on Sky channel 803 will also be removed.
This is part of ITVs transition to HD only broadcasting on UK satellite TV, as we have reported in previous posts (here and here)
ITV1 SD on Freesat channel 111 was used by some Freesat users in weak signal areas like Spain as they are are unable to receive an ITV1 HD region on Freesat channel 103. This is especially so for people using satellite dishes smaller than the recommended (since 2012) 125x135cm satellite dish.
As an alternative, ITV1 +1 is currently still available on Freesat channel 112, on a nice and strong signal.
Note that some Freesat users are reporting that ITV1 +1 on Freesat channel 112 returns a weak or no signal message. This should be corrected in overnight “housekeeping”, but if you cannot wait, then a manual Freesat scan will bring ITV1+1 back to Freesat channel 112.
Another way is to receive ITV1 in HD on Freesat channel 103, by changing the Freesat postcode, and then performing a Freesat channel scan.
So if you can receive ITV2 HD on Freesat channel 113, then try a postcode for Wales (CF10 4PL), Granada (M50 2HE), Tyne Tees (NZ2 6SE), that share the same frequency as ITV2 HD.
If you can receive ITV3 HD on Freesat channel 115, then try a postcode for Yorkshire West (LS1 4DL), Anglia West, Central West that share the same frequency as ITV3 HD.
If you can receive ITV4 HD on Freesat channel 117, then try a postcode for Yorkshire East, Anglia West, Central West that share the same frequency as ITV4 HD.
However, changing postcode for a stronger ITV1HD on Freesat channel 103, may give you a weak Channel 4 HD on Freesat channel 104.
Currently, there is not one postcode that gives both a strong ITV1 HD and C4 HD region on Freesat here in Spain.
Eg, a London postcode gets a strong C4HD version on 104, but a weak ITV1 HD region on 103.
However this may change in the next few weeks as it appears that both ITV and Channel 4 are in the middle of some HD channel shuffling also, moving their HD channels from “borrowed” weak Sky frequencies, onto their own “stronger” frequencies And this should improve ITV1 HD and C4 HD reception for all.
How to change postcodes and BBC ITV C4 regions on Humax Freesat Manhattan and 4k TV boxes
In the video below we show you the process of changing postcodes and consequently altering BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 (C4) regions on different Freesat HD set-top boxes involves a few key steps.
By modifying the postcode, viewers can access different regional programming on these popular channels. This can help if you are using a “weak signal” ITV1 HD region on 103 or Channel 4HD on 104,
In the example in the video we change from using a London postcode for London versions of BBC1, to a Yorkshire East postcode, going from a weak ITV 1 HD London signal to a stronger ITV1 HD Yorkshire East signal.
For these examples we use the following Freesat set top boxes:
Manhattan Plaza HD-S2 Freesat Boxes – from start to 2:20
Manhattan SX Freesat Boxes – from 2:20 to 4:22
Humax Freesat Boxes Freesat 4K Boxes – from 4:22 to 6:30
If you are unable to receive ITV2 HD, ITV3 HD or ITV4 HD, then you will not be able to receive ITV1 HD either. This may be because your satellite dish is too small for where you are. In my service area the recommended satellite dish size since 2012 is 125x135cm. If your satellite dish is smaller, then you will have to use the ITV1+1 SD service, or contact me for a satellite dish upgrade.
If your satellite dish is at least 110x120cm, and you still cannot receive ITV2 HD, ITV3 HD or ITV4 HD, then your satellite dish is not a good performing satellite dish, your satellite dish is not aligned correctly, you are using a poor performing LNB, or your LNB is not correctly aligned. so contact me for a realignment call out.
Satellite Frequencies for ITV channels can be found here
Is there a freely available Freesat postcode mapping spreadsheet that I can refer to ?
I have not yet given up trying to find a postcode that maps to Anglia or Meridian for ITV1 HD, but also Channel 4 London HD.
I have been looking at towns on the fringes of Channel 4 London’s area that may be allocated a Meridian or Anglia ITV1 HD.
I am on the Costa Blanca South with a 1.45 Prime Focus dish, Invacom Quad LNB and Manhattan Plaza HDRS recorder.
As far as I know, there is no postcode that gets C4HD London, and a nice and strong ITV1HD.
You will have to wait until ITV and C4 finalise their HD channels moves… where we expect the other 5 C4HD regions to be similar reception to the current C4HD London, and the three or 4 weak ITV1HD regions, inc ITV1HD London, to move onto a stronger ITV frequency than its current “borrowed” Sky frequency.
Should be soon.