If you’ve recently noticed a message appearing in the centre of your screen while watching BBC channels on Sky, you’re not alone. Many viewers have reported seeing a persistent “upgrade” message overlay, often taking up a large portion of the picture .

While it may look like an error or fault with your Sky box, the message is actually intentional. It forms part of a wider upgrade programme by the BBC as it prepares to shut down its standard definition (SD) satellite channels and move fully to HD broadcasting.

The on-screen message is being broadcast directly as part of the SD version of BBC channels. It is designed to warn viewers that these SD channels will be closing in January 2024 and that an upgrade to HD-compatible equipment is required to continue watching.

But recently, a new message has been appearing on screen for Sky SD and Sky HD box users

What Does This Message Mean? Watch the Video below to find out.

This has understandably caused frustration for some viewers, particularly those who are still using older equipment or who were unaware they were watching the SD version rather than HD.

The message primarily affects viewers who are:

• Using older SD-only Sky digiboxes
• Watching SD versions of BBC channels (even on HD-capable boxes)
• Recording programmes from SD channels instead of HD

Even some users with HD equipment have seen the message if their recordings or channel selections default to the SD feed rather than the HD version.

The good news is that the issue is usually easy to resolve — and in most cases, no repair is needed.

✔️ Switch to HD Channels

If you have a Sky HD or Sky Q box, simply switch to the HD versions of BBC channels. These do not display the upgrade message and offer better picture quality.

✔️ Update Recordings

If you are recording programmes, make sure your series links and recordings are set to HD channels rather than SD. Otherwise, the message may appear in recordings.

✔️ Upgrade Your Equipment

If you are using an older SD-only box, you will need to upgrade to continue receiving BBC channels once the SD versions are switched off.

For some people watching in fringe reception area in Spain this will mean upgrading to a larger size satellite dish. This is because the HD channels are on frequencies that are configured differently to SD channel frequencies, and are seen to be weaker.

It appears this is Skys own initiative to try and get their customers (since it seems to only appear for people who have a Sky Subscription), to move to a SkyQ box.

If you have a Sky HD or Sky+HD box, this message can be ignored. Users of Sky HD and Sky+HD boxes will NOT lose their channels.

It appears this message is being sent to Sky customers, whose Sky viewing card has not been paired up to a Sky HD or Sky+HD box. Therefore Sky think they are still using a Sky SD digibox. Although this should already have been done if you are a Sky Cinema or Sky Sports customer, otherwise without pairing you will not be able to view these channels.

In many cases a call to Sky to get the card paired up correctly is needed.

In some other cases (eg living outside the UK), it may not be possible (or safe) to contact Sky and get the card paired. This runs the risk of Sky finding out the card is being used outside the UK, and may mean the card is cancelled. If this is the case, then it may be best to simply press BACK UP to remove the message, and hopefully the message will cease to be displayed by the time the BBC SD channels are clsoed.