BBC iPlayer To Be Removed From Some Freesat Boxes
For long-time Freesat viewers, January 2026 marks another significant step in the slow decline of the once-favourite Humax HDR-1100S receiver. BBC iPlayer is being removed from the box, following a steady withdrawal of support for older Humax-made Freesat models over the past year. It’s a move many users saw coming, but it still stings — especially for viewers who rely on iPlayer as their main catch-up service.
The HDR-1100S, released back when Freesat+ was still pitched as a fully integrated alternative to Sky and Freeview Play, has aged noticeably. Owners have reported that the box has become increasingly slow and sluggish, with menus taking longer to load, apps becoming less responsive, and general performance lacking the snappiness it once had. Navigating between channels and on-demand menus often feels laboured, especially compared with modern streamers and the newer Freesat 4K hardware.
This latest removal follows a pattern. Over the past year, ITVX and Channel 4’s on-demand apps were also withdrawn from Humax Freesat receivers, leaving many users with diminishing smart-TV functionality. Each departure has chipped away at what made these boxes appealing — a simple, unified place to watch both live satellite TV and the main UK catch-up players without juggling extra devices.
BBC iPlayer’s exit is perhaps the most symbolic. For many, it was the app they used most often, whether for drama boxsets, news catch-up, or major live events. Losing it effectively marks the end of the HDR-1100S as a true hybrid broadcast-and-streaming device. From February 2026 onward, the box will still handle satellite channels perfectly well, but its connected features will be a shadow of what they used to be.
However, Freesat viewers aren’t left without options. BBC iPlayer — along with ITVX, Channel 4 and the rest of the major UK catch-up players — remains fully supported on the Freesat 4K range of boxes. These newer models offer modern apps, faster processors, regular software updates and a far smoother experience overall. For users who value built-in streaming as much as satellite TV recording, upgrading is now the most practical path.
In short, January 2026 represents the closing chapter of the Humax HDR-1100S as a modern smart receiver. It can still serve as a reliable Freesat recorder, but the era of full-featured on-demand viewing on this classic box has officially come to an end.
It is such a shame when the box is fully functional in other respects; although the search facility has been removed.
Humax should have a duty to let customers know how long Freesat boxs are going to last before certain services are cut off and they need to buy an updated model to get what they lost on their present box.
Absolutely disgusting. The is not even plan obsolescence it is forced. Humax and Freesat should be taken to court for this
It is more likely to be the BBC that removed it, since it would cost money to support the app on such an old box, just like ITVX and “channel 4” apps have not been on that box for many months / years
As a pensioner with no desire or ,easily affordable ,funds to replace my box I believe the BBC should be held to account for its inexcusable actions but I know that this useless government are unlikely to give a toss about us.
Plenty of other, and cheaper, devices to get iPlayer on…
Not sure what the BBC can do when technology for iPlayer has moved on, and older devices are no longer able to run it.
Same goes for ITVX and C4…not been on Humax Freesat boxes for ages or at all due to the boxes limitations in running the software.